Foot problems

The causes of most foot problems are a combination of factors that wear out or stress the feet. Contributing factors include:

• poor fitting shoes
• overweight
• doing too much standing or walking (especially on hard surfaces) or
• not taking enough time to adequately prepare by stretching and gradually building up prior to starting the exercise.

Some of the more common problems of the feet are:

• corns (thickened layers of skin at the tips or between the toes)
• calluses (thickened layers of skin on the bottom of the feet)
• bunions (a bony bump at the base of the big toe causing it to turn inward)
• hammer or claw toes (give the toe a bent look)
• ingrown toenails (the end of the nail grows under and into the flesh of the skin of the toe) and
• neuromas (a pinched or swollen nerve between the toes where they join the foot)

All these problems may be caused in part by poorly fitting shoes. Wearing good shoes is essential. A shoe should:

• be roomy with enough width and comfort for the foot and the toes
• have low heels
• have a thick sole and
• support the arch

Most foot problems can be prevented. Sometimes custom inserts need to be made for your shoes to give you better support or to correct bone problems. Some medical conditions lead to foot problems. If you have diabetes, circulation problems, or rheumatoid arthritis, see your healthcare provider for special attention to your feet.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File FOOT3426.RF2 VRS# 7613 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.