Learn About Common Foot Complaints

The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons made up of strong fibrous tissues to keep all the moving parts together.

The foot is capable of handling lots of force - your weight in motion, every day. All the parts of the feet, the toes, heel and ball, work together to get you from one place to another. However, the stress of carrying you around puts your feet at high risk of injury. Many foot problems, including plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns and hammer toe can develop from neglect, ill-fitting shoes, heredity and simple wear and tear.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and creates inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, which connects your heel bone to your toes. Symptoms include pain around the heel and arch of the foot. It is often worse in the mornings. This can be caused by several things including ill-fitting shoes.

Proper fitting shoes with support (lace ups and possibly lace ups with removable insoles) can help with this matter. Also, soft padded insoles or heel raisers will alleviate some of the pressure off the heel.

Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bump on one side of your toe may be a bunion. This condition, in which your big toe bends towards your other toes, can make it painful to walk.

Proper fitting shoes (no high heels) with toe depth and width, and soft uppers, would help relieve the pressure on the bunion to assist in a more comfortable walk. Orthotics may also help to ease pain and aid normal walking.

Corns

Round circles of thickened skin on your toes or the sole of your feet could be corns. Your body forms corns to prevent blisters on your feet and they are not usually painful straight away.

Corn plaster may relieve pressure on the corn and allow it to heal along with proper fitting shoes with soft padded insoles.

Hammer Toe

Hammer toe results in a curved toe that points downwards rather than upwards. It may be painful when walking or when stretching the foot.

Proper fitting shoes with a wider toe box are suggested, along with foot cushions and pads are required to ease symptoms.

Morton’s Neuroma

This occurs when a nerve in your foot is irritated or damaged, usually affecting your 3rd and 4th toes. Symptoms include shooting, stabbing or burning pain or a feeling of small pebbles under your foot when walking.

Proper fitting shoes, especially lace ups, with soft padded insoles and a wider width fitting, will help considerably with this condition.