Why Do My Feet Hurt? I Don’t Have An Injury or Deformity!

 

Sometimes your feet just hurt. You haven’t been standing for long periods of time and you haven’t been wearing uncomfortable shoes, so what gives?

Chances are there is more going on than what meets the eye – there are other factors that could be leading to your foot pain:

Genetics: Some things are simply beyond your control. If your parents had foot problems, then your likelihood of experiencing the same problems is higher.  For example, bunions and hammer toes are often hereditary.

Age:  Believe it or not, you thin as you age. (Unfortunately, it’s not coming off your thighs).  The fat pads on the weight-bearing areas of your feet (the ball and heel) begin to thin by your mid-30s, and can be worn completely away by age 50.  Weakening muscles, tendons and ligaments can also occur as you age, which can result in soreness and pain.

Weight: Your feet take a beating, especially if you are overweight.  When walking, your feet support the pressure of about 120 percent of your body weight, which can put a lot of strain on your feet when you carry extra weight. Overworked muscles can also lead to inflammation, and exasperate hammer toes and bunions.

Arches:  Flat or high arches can also lead to foot pain. When you suffer from flat feet, the muscles and tendons of your foot stretch and weaken over time, often resulting in tendinitis. If you suffer from high arches, you naturally have less shock absorption and the ball and heel of your foot are under more pressure. Due to the pressure and lack of shock absorption, your likelihood of suffering from foot pain increases, as well as increasing your chances of developing painful bone or heel spurs.

Unsupportive Shoes: High heels and too-tight shoes can lead to foot pain, especially with long-term use. High heels unevenly distribute weight over the balls of the foot, which put you at risk for hammer toes, neuromas, Haglund’s deformity (“pump bump”) and bunions—not to mention just general foot pain. Shoes that are too tight can result in painful corns and calluses, which is when the skin thickens as a result of the shoe rubbing against the skin.

If you are suffering from foot pain, especially due to any of the reasons above, there are treatment options available to help alleviate the discomfort. Request an appointment with one of our five highly-skilled podiatrists at any of our three convenient locations throughout the Triad today.

Disclaimer: The information and other content provided in our blogs, videos, or in any other content or linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. For a full disclaimer, please click here.