<s>[INST] I ve had Pain And discomfort in my left foot for several months. Bearable, but pain non the less. Along the outer side of my foot, There is a point which is quite painful if caught or pressed. I have had no swelling or bruising in the foot. The pain has gradually got worse, and unfortunately hasn t improved over the months. The foot now has a subtle pain whilst resting and can sometimes feel like it s aching. What could be the problem? [/INST] Several features of pain can be helpful in clarifying what is going on and the next steps for diagnosis and treatment. Type of pain. Burning mostly means a nerve is having problems. This can be either a sick nerve or a nerve that has had an injury. Electrical, shooting would be others implying nerve source for pain.Location of pain. There is a lot to this. First, if something goes in the pathway of a nerve, then that is the nerve involved. Nerves are long and the pain is in a belt-like long pathway. Smaller areas are smaller nerves. This also tends to say what might  be going on. Obviously if there was an injury to the area and then there was pain outward from it "hit a nerve" would be a possibility. Sick nerves are MULTIPLE areas and tends to be the TIPS of the nerve not the whole nerveWhat hurts. Moving a particular way that triggers the pain tells what is hurting. Specifically it can distinguish outward structures like skin, muscles, tendons, joints from deep structures like organs and nerves.``     Having a diagnosis leads to choice of medicine for the pain. Inflamed outer structures respond to treating inflammation. Inner structures need diagnostic tests because something internal is broken. MRI's.And, structures that cannot be fixed need adaptations. Physical therapy, pillows, supportive structures internal and external. </s>