Whether you’re training for a race or just jogging around the block, running foot pain can stop you in your tracks. And the most frustrating part? You may not even know what’s causing it.
Pain during or after a run is common, but it’s not normal. If your feet ache, burn, or throb when you run, it’s time to get to the bottom of it. At The Bunion Cure, we often see active patients who have been unknowingly running on painful foot conditions like bunions, hammertoes, or heel spurs.
Let’s explore how these conditions could be contributing to your running foot pain—and what you can do about it.
Foot pain during exercise is often blamed on shoes, running surfaces, or overuse—but for many runners, an underlying structural issue is the real culprit. Here are three of the most common conditions we treat that can lead to chronic running foot pain:
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of your big toe. It forms when the toe joint shifts out of alignment, pushing the toe inward and the joint outward.
While bunions are often thought of as cosmetic or age-related, they’re a major source of running foot pain for many active adults. The pressure from each step can irritate the joint, cause inflammation, and make it nearly impossible to find shoes that fit comfortably.
Hammertoes occur when one or more of your toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, creating a curled or claw-like appearance. Runners with hammertoes often experience pain at the top of the toe or ball of the foot, especially if their toes are rubbing against the top of their shoes.
Over time, the abnormal toe position can lead to corns, calluses, and joint stiffness—all of which can interfere with your stride and cause running foot pain to worsen.
If you feel a stabbing pain in your heel when you run, especially first thing in the morning, you might be dealing with a heel spur. This condition involves a calcium deposit on the heel bone that can press on the surrounding soft tissue with every step.
Running can aggravate the pain further, especially if your foot mechanics are already off due to another condition, such as flat feet or plantar fasciitis.
Most runners assume foot pain is something they just have to live with—or that it will go away on its own with rest, ice, or new shoes. But if you have an underlying deformity like a bunion, hammertoe, or heel spur, these quick fixes won’t solve the problem.
Many patients delay treatment because they believe surgery will be invasive or require weeks of downtime. But that’s no longer the case.
At The Bunion Cure, we specialize in minimally invasive procedures that correct the root of the problem with tiny incisions, no crutches, and no bulky hardware.
Benefits of our approach include:
Whether your running foot pain is caused by a bunion, hammertoe, or heel spur, our expert podiatrists can help you get back on your feet, pain-free.
Running shouldn’t hurt. If you’re experiencing running foot pain and don’t know why, it’s time to find out what’s really going on and take the first step toward relief.
Schedule a free consultation with The Bunion Cure today and discover if minimally invasive foot surgery is right for you. Your best miles are still ahead.