What causes a stabbing pain in the side of my foot?

Mild to moderate foot pain can often be linked to shoes that don’t fit well or other minor issues. But the story may be different when you’re having sharp, stabbing pains in the side of your foot. 

Dealing with foot pain isn’t something that you alone are going through. Medical research reveals that 77% of Americans over 18 have experienced foot pain. Physical therapy specialists can help you determine the cause of the stabbing pain in the side of your foot. These specialists can also help you find top-notch options for treating your foot pain. 

Three causes of stabbing pain in the side of the foot

Physical therapists are trained to treat the human musculoskeletal system, including your feet. They know how each structure in your foot is supposed to work, and they know what types of issues can cause the pain you’re experiencing. 

Three issues that could be causing the sharp pain in the side of your foot are: 

1. Foot sprain — This issue occurs in the foot ligaments. It happens when these ligaments are overstretched or damaged by physical activity. 

2. Plantar fasciitis — This condition occurs when a foot structure called the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. It’s estimated that plantar fasciitis occurs in about 10% of the general U.S. population. 

3. Posterior tibial tendon injury — The posterior tibial tendon (PTT) attaches the calf muscles to the inside of your foot. Injuries to this tendon are most likely in women over 40. Medical studies reveal that up to 10% of such women develop a PTT injury, especially if they’re obese. 

How can a physical therapist treat stabbing pains in the side of your foot?

Treating these and other causes of stabbing pain in the side of your foot is possible with an individualized physical therapy plan. Your physical therapist can develop such a plan for you after an evaluation of your foot. This allows them to gather the information necessary to ensure that the plan fits your needs. 

Some of the physical therapy methods your foot pain therapy plan may include are: 

• Soft tissue mobilization intended to improve blood flow to a foot injury. 

• Therapeutic exercises that can improve foot mobility, strength and stability at the ankle. 

• Gait training to improve the way you walk. 

• Footwear and insole recommendations that can help reduce stress on your feet. 

• At-home care sessions where your physical therapist works with you one-on-one in your own home. 

• Virtual physical therapy appointments that allow you to meet with your physical therapist over a secure online video feed. 

Find the effective care you need for foot pain at Advent Physical Therapy

Fed up with the stabbing pain in the side of your foot? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy are committed to helping you find ways to reduce your pain. We’ll start by doing a free screening of your foot to pinpoint the root cause of your pain. Next, our team will create a personalized therapy plan for your painful foot that’s designed to decrease pain and prevent it from returning. You can even get our help if you don’t have a doctor’s referral. 

Contact our team today for more information about the foot therapy services we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.