5 Common Foot Problems and How to Treat Them

From bunions to fallen arches, foot problems can be debilitating, affecting every part of your life. Here’s how to prevent some of the most common injuries and how to relieve foot symptoms should they arise!

Prevent Bunions from Growing for Ball of Foot Pain Relief

A bunion is a painful bump that appears on the big toe (metatarsophalangeal) joint. Bunions are typically formed from built-up pressure put on the joint over a long period of time. As bunions are often caused by uncomfortable shoes, unfortunately, women are more likely to get bunions than men. 

High heels, ballet point shoes, and any other too-tight shoes are culprits for causing bunions and consequential foot symptoms. That said, bunions can also be caused by injuries, deformities, inflammatory joint disease, and other factors. 

The best way to take care of bunions and get ball of foot pain relief is to wear properly fitting footwear that has space between the big toe joint and the interior of the shoe. Keep a low heel height: one to two inches is ideal to avoid putting too much pressure on the front of the foot. 

Taos sandals like Link are perfect because they let the bunion breathe and have cushioned support for the rest of the foot. For a way to relieve foot pain from bunions, try icing them and elevating them whenever possible to reduce swelling.

Cushion Your Plantar Fasciitis to Eliminate Foot Issues

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot problems, with pain generally felt in the heel. Technically, it’s an inflammation of the fascia ligaments, which extend from the heel to the toes. Adults aged 40 to 70 who have an active lifestyle are most likely to get plantar fasciitis as it is caused by repeated strain on the foot.

To protect against this common foot problem, a flexible footbed in your shoe that protects the heel bone is imperative. Plantar fasciitis shoes like leather sneakers come with our Curves and Pods® premium removable footbeds, which mold to your foot and cradle the heel in comfort.

To relieve foot pain from plantar fasciitis, try resting and icing the foot. Many people seek out physical therapy to help with plantar fasciitis and some even have surgery as a last resort.

Make Space for a Hammertoe

When you have a hammertoe deformity, your toe points down instead of forward. This common foot problem can be explained by arthritis, ill-fitting shoes, or may be there at birth. Once you have a hammertoe, take care not to exacerbate it by wearing ill-fitting footwear.

Like bunions, shoes that have a narrow toe box will put pressure on your hammertoe and make it worse. If your toe feels crunched, choose a different shoe. Boots like Crave with a removable footbed and a lace-up adjustable fit are the best for relieving foot symptoms that result from hammertoes. You can also use pads to maneuver your toe into a position where it is not feeling pressure.

Let Your Stone Bruise Heal Before it Gets Worse

A stone bruise – also called metatarsalgia – is a common foot problem caused by overuse. Either you have put too much strain on your feet or have injured your foot, often from sports or other high-energy activities. A stone bruise occurs in the ball of the foot, at the end of the metatarsal bones.

Wearing the wrong footwear over a long period can cause metatarsalgia. If you have high arches, you are also prone to this common foot problem. For this reason, we recommend wearing shoes with excellent arch support. Twin Gore Lux has high arch support that will help cushion the foot. Applying ice and resting your foot until it has healed is the best treatment for ball of foot pain relief.

Relieve Foot Pain From Fallen Arches with Built-in Support

Fallen arches are when you develop flat feet in adulthood due to a weakening of your posterior tibial tendon, the main tendon that supports your arch. The arch will gradually lower as a result, so proper arch support is key to both maintaining the height and protecting your foot.

The best shoes for fallen arches have a footbed with arch support and an adjustable lace-up fit, like our Star canvas sneakers. You should not wear flip-flops or shoes that are flat on the inside if you have fallen arches, as this does nothing to provide support. 

Just remember, there are many ways to relieve foot pain, but it’s best to prevent injury from occurring in the first place by wearing the right footwear.

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