When The Shoe Doesnt Fit Foot Conditions Caused By Improperly Fitting Shoes

When the Shoe Doesn't Fit- Foot Conditions Caused by Improperly Fitting Shoes

No one relishes the pain and discomfort that accompanies improperly fitting shoes- ouch! There are a number of foot conditions that can result over time from shoes that don't fit properly. These include plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns and calluses, Morton's neuroma metatarsalgia, and toe conditions such as hammer toes/claw toes and ingrown toenails.

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition in which inflammation is brought on by too much stretching taking place of the plantar fascia, which is the tissue that extends the full length of the foot bottom. Regular heel pain can also result and this is a very common complaint and occurs when weight is brought down to bear on the heel bringing on a lot of discomfort. Plantar fasciitis can lead to other problems such as heel spurs, arch pain and excessive heel pain. The first sign that you are suffering from plantar fasciitis is acute pain first thing in the morning when you step out of bed or any time after you have had a long sleep. The pain originates from where the heel and arch of the foot meet. The pain often lessens throughout the day. If you suffer from this condition it is advisable to take a very close look at what you wear on your feet. Always wear shoes and preferably arch supports that help support and protect your arch and wear ones that have proper shock absorption. People suffering from plantar fasciitis are not encouraged to walk around barefoot at any time.

Bunions, another common foot condition, are a very obvious bump that forms on the inside of the foot around the joint of the big toe. Corns are a build up of dead skin cells that are made worse by the rubbing of ill-fitting shoes. Corns are usually found on the toes, the top or sides, and they form a thick hardened spot that contains a cone-shaped middle, which exposes the nerve and causes pain and discomfort. Calluses are similar to cones in that they are the build up of dead skin cells that have thickened and hardened over time and are the body's defense mechanism against tremendous friction and pressure. Unlike corns, calluses don't have a center core and generally develop on the bottom of the foot, the heel and sometimes areas of the toes. In order to prevent bunions, corns and calluses always wear footwear that fits your feet properly as well as socks, pantyhose and stockings. In other words, don't wear anything too loose or too tight. Always buy footwear that boosts a wide toe box, which gives the toes lots of room to move.

Morton's neuroma metatarsalgia is a condition that causes inflammation in the metatarsal region of the foot (the area right before the toes or the ball of the foot). This condition causes bones to squeeze a nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal head and some people experience acute, recurrent pain while others develop chronic pain in the area of the ball of the foot. If you suffer from metatarsalgia always wear footwear that has a higher, wider toe box and a deep cup complete with metatarsal padding and support. Getting into the habit of wearing an arch support with a pad is wise as well because it decreases pressure on the foot and redistributes the weight properly.

Hammertoes can occur in any of the big toes with the exception of the big one. In both hammertoes and claw toes a toe is raised higher than it should be and this leads to a great deal of pressure and pain. The difference is that the claw tow curls under in such a way so that the end (or tip) of the toe is pushed sharply against the shoe bottom. An ingrown toenail takes places when a toenail grows directly into the skin or else it grows over the side of the toenail causing a great deal of pain. In order to avoid these extremely uncomfortable foot conditions you need to retain the foot's natural shape in a shoe so always choose footwear that has a wide toe area (or toe box). Buy shoes that have lots of room in the forefoot to decrease the level of friction. Arch supports as well, help to distribute weight better.