Foot Pain Symptoms Related to the Lower Back

The foot is made up of 26 bones that are connected by joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is susceptible to injuries and stress. Limited mobility can result from pain, inflammation or injury. While there are various types of foot problems that cause pain, lower back conditions can also be the culprit.

Symptoms of foot pain that are related to the lower back

Spinal nerves from the lower spine travel down the legs to the feet. Foot pain can occur if a nerve becomes pinched, compressed or irritated. Typically, if a nerve in the lower back is the cause of foot pain, the leg is also affected. Foot pain symptoms that are related to the lower back include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Foot weakness or heaviness. A spinal nerve in the lower back can cause the foot to appear weak and heavy, making it difficult to flex the ankle or lift the front of the foot up. This is referred to as foot drop. This can occur due to the L5 nerve root. Pain frequently radiates down the outside of the leg to the top of the foot or big toe.
• Inability to bring the foot upward. The sciatic nerve in the lower back can become entrapped or inflamed. This can result in the inability to bring the foot upward, also referred to as heel walk. Numbness in the middle lower leg and foot may also occur.
• Difficulty walking on the tiptoes. The S1 spinal nerve root can result in pain and weakness in the bottom of the foot. This creates extreme difficulty walking on the tiptoes, raising the heel, driving, or walking normally.

Conditions that cause foot pain

Fractures or sprains can cause foot pain. There are also various conditions that can result in foot pain. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sciatica
• Herniated lumbar disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
• Peroneal neuropathy
• Sciatic neuropathy
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Sural nerve entrapment
• Morton neuroma
• Diabetes
• Vascular disease