Foot and ankle discomfort might appear out of nowhere from a sudden injury or gradually due to a persistent problem. The Mayo Clinic identifies multiple usual sources of such pain, such as:

Strains and sprains

A strain happens when a muscle or its tendon is overstretched. A sprain happens when a ligament is overstretched or ripped.

Arthritis

Arthritis, a widespread joint inflammation, triggers joint pain. The most often seen forms—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—particularly affect the foot and ankle.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time.

Bursitis

Bursitis occurs when the Tendinitis results from overworking the tendons too much, leading to prolonged inflammation. rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and uncomfortable.

Fractures

Broken bones happen when they are hit too hard and either crack or completely snap. If you break a bone in your foot or ankle, you might need to rest for several weeks to heal properly.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome happens when the nerve that travels from your ankle to your foot gets compressed and irritated.

Fallen arches

Your foot has various tendons that help create your arch. When these tendons function correctly, they create a normal arch. If they don’t work together well, you may have a low or no arch—known as flat foot—which can lead to pain or discomfort over time.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is when the tissue connecting your heel to your toes on the foot's underside gets inflamed. Reasons include too much standing, bad standing habits, or wearing shoes without good arch support.