Foot Pain Identifier
Morton's Toe
Morton's Toe is a foot condition where the second toe is longer than the big toe. Morton's Toe can cause pressure and pain in the ball of the foot behind the second toe.
Footwear with a high and wide toe box is generally recommended for Morton's Toe. Be sure when sizing shoes to accommodate the longer second toe. A metatarsal pad, a pad located behind the ball of the foot, can also help relieve discomfort.
Bunions
A Bunion is a bone deformity causing the big toe joint to enlarge and protrude from the foot. Overtime a bunion can cause movement and misalignment of the toes. Learn More >
Footwear designed with a high, wide toe box is most often the best way to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with Bunions. Shoes with rocker soles can help reduce pressure on the bunion area. Narrow/pointy toed shoes will accelerate progression of the bunion deformity.
Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis is a form of tendonitis which can cause pain, swelling, and bruising under the big toe or on the ball of the foot. It can also cause pain and stiffness in the flexibility of the big toe.
Footwear which provides cushioning and reduces the mobility of the big toe joint is often recommended for Sesamoiditis. It is helpful to wear shoes which can accommodate an insert pad which can reduce pressure on the big toe joint. While the injury is healing, high heels should be avoided.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's Neuroma is a nerve injury which causes pain most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Learn More >
Footwear with a high and wide toe box is ideal for relieving the discomfort and pain often associated with Morton's Neuroma. Use of an orthotic designed with a metatarsal pad, a pad located behind the ball-of-the-foot to unload pressure, can help relieve the pain caused by the neuroma.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot, most often behind the three middle toes. Learn More >
Footwear designed with a high, wide toe box (toe area) allows the foot to spread out and disperse pressure. Rocker bottom soles also can reduce stress on the ball-of-the-foot.
Tailor's Bunion/Bunionette
Similar in nature to a bunion found behind the first toe, a Tailor's Bunion/Bunionette is a bone deformity causing the small toe joint to enlarge and protrude from the foot. Overtime a bunion can cause movement and misalignment of the toes. Learn More >
Footwear designed with a high, wide toe box is most often the best way to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with Bunions. Shoes with rocker soles can help reduce pressure on the bunion area. Narrow/pointy toed shoes will accelerate progression of the bunion deformity.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue which extends from the heel to the ball of the foot causing heel and/or arch pain. Learn More >
When the cause is flat feet, footwear which supports the inside of the rear foot, arch support, and stability through the mid foot can be effective to stabilize the foot and help relieve the discomfort. If you have high arches, footwear which slightly elevates and cushions the heel and absorbs shock can provide comfort for the foot.
Arch Pain
Arch Pain refers to inflammation or a burning sensation in the arch of the foot, which can be symptomatic of a variety of conditions. Learn More >
Footwear with a reasonable heel, soft leather uppers, shock absorbing soles and removable insoles are often suggested for Arch Pain. If you suffer from arch pain avoid high-heeled shoes whenever possible. Assessing your arch type allows a shoe fitting professional to recommend the appropriate shoe.
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis can cause pain behind the inside ankle bone and in the arch, which can increase when going down stairs. It can also cause weakness or inability to stand on the toes.
Learn More >
Footwear that provides cushioning, support and shock absorption can help relieve the discomfort of Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis.
Flat Foot (Over Pronation)
Over-pronation, or flat feet, is a common problem that occurs in the walking process when a person's arch collapses upon weight bearing. This motion can cause extreme stress or inflammation, potentially causing severe discomfort and leading to other foot problems. Learn More >
Footwear with a firm heel counter is recommended for extra support and stability. Footwear should also be examined to ensure there is a proper fit. Improperly fitting footwear can lead to additional foot problems. Shoes with removable insoles allow room for orthotics and arch supports.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue which extends from the heel to the ball of the foot causing heel and/or arch pain. Learn More >
When the cause is flat feet, footwear which supports the inside of the rear foot, arch support, and stability through the mid foot can be effective to stabilize the foot and help relieve the discomfort. If you have high arches, footwear which slightly elevates and cushions the heel and absorbs shock can provide comfort for the foot.
Heel Pain
Heel Pain can refer to pain on the back of your heel OR the underside of your heel. The exact location of the pain can help determine if the pain is related to Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, etc. Learn More >
Footwear that provides exceptional shock absorption, a firm heel counter, good arch support, and appropriate heel height are the ideal choice for relieving Heel Pain. It is important to slightly elevate the heel to transfer pressure from the heel and avoid shoes with a "negative heel".
Heel Spurs
Heel Spurs are growths of bone on the heel bone which can cause friction, irritation, and pain in the bottom or back of the heel. Learn More >
Footwear which cushions and elevates the heel is often the ideal choice when suffering from Heel Spurs. The cushioning provides shock absorption while the elevated heel helps to redistribute pressure away from the heel. An appropriately fit heel counter or padding can relieve shoe pressure in the back of the heel.
Hammer Toe/Toe Deformities
Hammer Toe/Toe deformities can include any condition in which the toes are bent, knuckled at the joints, twisted, or do not lie flat. Learn More >
For Toe deformities it is very important to choose footwear with a high broad toe box with enough room to relieve pressure and friction from the affected toes. A well fit shoe that does not move on the foot will prevent the toes from gripping the shoe to the foot which can progress the deformity.
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis can cause pain behind the inside ankle bone and in the arch, which can increase when going down stairs. It can also cause weakness or inability to stand on the toes. Learn More >
Footwear that provides cushioning, support and shock absorption can help relieve the discomfort of Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body's joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling. Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain because each foot has 33 joints that can become affected by the disease.
Footwear with a high, wide toe box are often ideal for Arthritis as the extra room can accommodate swelling of the foot. Rocker Soles are designed to facilitate ambulating (walking) and to reduce stress and pain at the ball-of-the-foot and ankle.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle Sprains are often the result of twisting, turning, or giving out of the ankle which stretches the ligaments often causing pain, stiffness, and swelling of the ankle joint. Learn More >
A properly fitting shoe makes a solid foundation to help prevent this injury. After an ankle sprain it is important to wear supportive shoes which may need to accommodate an ankle brace.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue which extends from the heel to the ball of the foot causing heel and/or arch pain. Learn More >
When the cause is flat feet, footwear which supports the inside of the rear foot, arch support, and stability through the mid foot can be effective to stabilize the foot and help relieve the discomfort. If you have high arches, footwear which slightly elevates and cushions the heel and absorbs shock can provide comfort for the foot.
Heel Pain
Heel Pain can refer to pain on the back of your heel OR the underside of your heel. The exact location of the pain can help determine if the pain is related to Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, etc. Learn More >
Footwear that provides exceptional shock absorption, a firm heel counter, good arch support, and appropriate heel height are the ideal choice for relieving Heel Pain. It is important to slightly elevate the heel to transfer pressure from the heel and avoid shoes with a "negative heel".
Heel Spurs
Heel Spurs are growths of bone on the heel bone which can cause friction, irritation, and pain in the bottom or back of the heel. Learn More >
Footwear which cushions and elevates the heel is often the ideal choice when suffering from Heel Spurs. The cushioning provides shock absorption while the elevated heel helps to redistribute pressure away from the heel. An appropriately fit heel counter or padding can relieve shoe pressure in the back of the heel.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body's joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling. Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain because each foot has 33 joints that can become affected by the disease.
Footwear with a high, wide toe box are often ideal for Arthritis as the extra room can accommodate swelling of the foot. Rocker Soles are designed to facilitate ambulating (walking) and to reduce stress and pain at the ball-of-the-foot and ankle.
Bone Spur/Saddle Bone Deformity
Bone Spurs are small outgrowths of bone which are generally harmless however; their location may cause friction or irritation from shoes or other foot structures, which can lead to pain. Learn More >
Footwear to accommodate bone spurs is going to be varied based on the location of the bone which has developed the spur. As a general rule, look for styles which give more room or adjustability in the area affected by the spur.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis can cause (sometimes severe) pain along the tendon, morning tenderness, swelling, and stiffness which diminishes with use. Learn More >
Footwear which provides cushioning in the heel is often recommended for Achilles Tendonitis, especially styles with slight heel elevation which can reduce stress and pressure on the Achilles tendon. An appropriately fit heel counter or padding can relieve shoe pressure in the back of the heel.
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis
Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis can cause pain behind the inside ankle bone and in the arch, which can increase when going down stairs. It can also cause weakness or inability to stand on the toes. Learn More >
Footwear that provides cushioning, support and shock absorption can help relieve the discomfort of Posterior-Tibial Tendonitis.
Shin Splints
Shin Splints are pain along the front of the lower leg, due to overexertion of the muscles, which is irritated by activity and sports. Learn More >
Footwear which provides cushioning, shock absorption, and the proper type of support is an important factor in preventing/relieving pain associated with shin splints. Assessing your foot type allows a shoe fitting professional to recommend the appropriate shoe.