Here are eight common foot conditions with some treatment recommendations to help keep your feet healthy:

1. Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis): Also referred to as a ‘heel spur.’ Symptoms can include pain on the bottom or inside part of the heel, which is usually most painful with the first few steps in the morning or after a period of rest. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics, supportive footwear and stretching.
2. Bunion (Hallux Valgus): This is a misalignment of the big toe, often with a ‘bump’ that may be red or inflamed and can be quite painful. This can be hereditary, or can occur because of injury, arthritis or wearing shoes that are too tight. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics, wider footwear and toe separators.
3. Forefoot/Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia): Pain across the ball (metatarsal bones) of the foot and can occur because of injury, arthritis, or pressure in this area from footwear (high heels) or activity. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics and proper footwear.
4. Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Those with flat arches tend to have overly flexible feet that roll too far to the inside. Arch pain can often happen because of this and can contribute to pain in the knees, hips and back. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics, motion control footwear and physiotherapy.
5. High Arches (Pes Cavus): Those with high arches tend to have inflexible feet with excessive pressure along the outside edges of the feet. Pain can often happen because of too much weight along the outer part of the foot, as well as along the heel and/or ball of the foot. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics and cushioned footwear.
6. Ankle Pain: Ankle pain can happen because of poor foot mechanics (such as flat arches or high arches), disease (such as arthritis) or injury. Treatment can include custom foot orthotics, supportive footwear and physiotherapy.
7. Corns & Calluses: Corns are thickened areas of skin that form because of excessive pressure and friction. Corns are usually hard and round in appearance. Calluses are thickened areas of skin that form as a result of pressure, or shearing (friction). Corns and calluses form to help protect the skin and the structures beneath it from injury or damage. Treatment can include podiatry/chiropody care to remove corn and/or callus, custom foot orthotics and proper footwear.
8. Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails occurs when the corner of the nail imbeds into the skin causing pain and sometime infection. It usually happens because of improper nail trimming, injury, and pressure from footwear. Treatment can include proper nail care and treatment from a Podiatrist/Chiropodist, and making sure your shoes are not too tight.

What can you do to help manage your foot pain? If you feel you need advice or help to manage your foot pain, you should speak to your family doctor about the treatment options available.

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Did you know?

Sunnybrook Centre for Independent Living (SCIL) Pedorthic Services specializes in non-surgical treatment for foot and lower extremity pain. If you would like further information about our services, please call us at 416.480.4261, email us at scil@sunnybrook.ca or visit our website.

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A little bit of pain and fatigue in your feet at the end of the day is normal, says Kevin Fraser, pedorthist at Sunnybrook Centre for Independent Living. But recurring pain is the sign of a problem. The most common foot problems do come from repetitive strain injuries – often brought on by poor footwear choices.

Plantar fasciitis – a strain or tear in the foot’s fascia – is one of the most common foot issues, he says. The plantar fascia connects the heel to the ball of the foot to support the arch structure of the foot. Symptoms are pain (sharp, stabbing or dull) or a burning sensation; swelling; and/or inflammation. Pain in the morning right when you get out of bed could be an indicator of plantar fasciitis.

And while your genes – the shape of your foot, the size of your foot, your arch – play a role in if you develop foot problems like plantar fasciitis, your footwear and lifestyle play a big role too.

Kevin Fraser, pedorthist

“A repetitive strain injury comes from what you do on your feet all day and what shoes you are doing that in,” Kevin says.

A good shoe provides support for your feet, cushions impact of hard walking surfaces and spreads the pressure of the weight of your body.

“Our feet are our mode of transportation. But they are also the foundation for the rest of your body – your knees, your hips and your back,” Kevin says. “This really is a good time of year to reevaluate the footwear you have.”

So if you are getting a head start on your spring cleaning, what better place to start than your shoe closet. It’s an idea that Kevin can happily get behind. (And I can too, since maybe it’ll mean I can go shoe shopping)!

Here are some questions you can ask yourself when tackling your shoe closet:

Does the shoe fit?

A shoe that fit you last year might not fit you this year. Try them on.

“Always try both shoes on and don’t just go by the shoe size you normally buy,” Kevin says. The same goes for when you are buying new shoes. Your feet might be different sizes and every shoe brand is different in sizing. (Here’s more from Kevin about shoe sizing)

Check for about a finger-size space at the heel of the shoe. Be sure the width of the shoe isn’t bulging out but that you can feel the sides of your feet. Try shoes on midday.

“Your feet can swell up to 5 per cent of their size in a day,” Kevin says.

Is the shoe worn out?

“We used to say a shoe lasts 500 miles. But what did that mean? Well, now we are lucky – people are wearing pedometers. We can say, on average, if you wear a shoe consistently, it’ll last about one year,” Kevin says.

Look for worn spots on the ball of the foot or a heel that is worn down. If your heels are worn down unevenly, you may want to see a pedorthist who could help examine your gait and help find the right corrective orthotics.

Is the shoe comfortable?

When you look at that pair of sandals, do you wince in pain thinking of that last time you wore them? Maybe it’s time they retire.

There’s no issue with having some fashion shoes or dressy shoes. Pain from those shoes is often associated with the activity you are doing in the shoe (like standing around for a long time at a wedding in high heels). “It’s ok to have those kinds of shoes,” Kevin says. “You aren’t going running in them.” Look for a heel that has arch support or consider adding an insole or forefoot cushion to improve comfort.

If your shoes are still in good shape but just aren’t right for you, consider donating them, or doing a shoe swap with friends.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

(A version of this post appears in the April edition of Toronto’s Streeter newspaper.)

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