Foot Pain

Because of the way the feet are structured and the manner in which we walk and run, the forefoot is the most common area for foot pain because the pressure and shear forces tend to be greatest in that location. The inherent problem of a dynamic foot in a static shoe is often a recipe for foot pain; and the repetitive stress and trauma from walking, running and standing causes or contributes to pain and discomfort. Age-related degradation of the protective fat pads on the bottom of the feet also place bones, tendons and ligaments at risk of injury and repetitive trauma; and being overweight is often a contributing factor to foot pain, as it increases pressure and shear forces on the feet.

Common causes of pain in the forefoot area include…

• Bunion - a protrusion at the base of the big toe that can become inflamed (bunions can also occur at the base of the little toe – commonly called a “tailor’s bunion” or “bunionette”). Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001231.htm

• Hammer toes - toes that curl downward into a claw-like position (also claw toe and mallet toe, depending on the affected joint(s) in the toe). Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001235.htm

• Sesamoiditis – inflammation of the small sesamoid bones in the ball of the foot just below the big toe. Read more here: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/Sesamoid_Injuries.htm
   
• Metatarsalgia -  a general term for pain in the forefoot area. Read more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metatarsalgia/DS00496

• Calluses and corns -- thickened skin from friction or pressure. Calluses occur on the plantar surface (bottom) of the feet on the balls, heels or any other pressure point on the feet. Corns occur on the dorsal (upper) surface of the toes as well as between the toes. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001232.htm
   
• Morton's neuroma is foot pain, usually centered between the third and fourth toes, that occurs when the metatarsal bone heads are compressed and put pressure on the nerves between them, often as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007286.htm

• Ingrown toenails. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001237.htm

• Broken bones or stress fractures. Read more here:
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-fractures/DS00556

• Arthritis - Read more here:
  http://www.aofas.org/scripts/4disapi.dll/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=164

• Gout – Inflammation in the joints, often occurring in the big toe area, caused by buildup of uric acid in the blood. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gout.html

• Sprains and strains. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sprainsandstrains.html

• Bruises, especially periosteal or bone bruises. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007213.htm

• Tendinitis – inflammation of tendons. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tendinitis.html

• Bursitis – inflammation of the sacs that protect and cushion the joints. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bursitis.html

• Plantar warts – warts on the underside of the feet can be painful. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000885.htm
   

Common causes of pain in the arch area include…

• “Fallen” arches or flat feet (also called “pes planus”) – the feet have no visible arches, and/or overpronate (turn inward too much), causing pain and discomfort from stress on the muscles and ligaments. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001262.htm

• Extremely high arches (also called “pes cavus”) or inflexible feet often lead to muscle pain and stiffness in the arch area (high arches can also be related to neuro-muscular conditions that may need to be treated by a medical professional). Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001261.htm

• Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the plantar fascia, a fibrous tissue running from the front of the heel to the forefoot area, it is a very common cause of heel pain that is often felt in the arch area as well. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007021.htm

Common causes of pain in the rear foot or heel area include…

• Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the plantar fascia, it is by far the most common cause of heel pain. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007021.htm

• Heel spurs (also called “calcaneal spurs”) - Bony protrusions growing out of the calcaneus (heel bone), heel spurs are usually not painful. They are related to and often confused with plantar fasciitis, although they are not the same thing. However, heel spurs can sometimes cause pain if they encroach on tendons, ligaments, muscles or other soft tissue of the feet. Read more here:
  http://www.thorlo.com/heel-spurs.php
   
• Broken bones or stress fractures. Read more here:
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-fractures/DS00556

• Arthritis. Read more here:
  http://www.aofas.org/scripts/4disapi.dll/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=164

• Bruises, especially periosteal or bone bruises. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007213.htm

• Haglund’s deformity (also called "pump bump") - A bone enlargement at the back of the heel bone in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone.  It sometimes is the result of bursitis caused by pressure of the shoe against the heel area. Read more here:
  http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/haglunds-deformity.htm
   
• Tendinitis – inflammation of tendons (especially Achilles tendinitis in the rear foot just above the heel). Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001072.htm

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome - a compression, or squeezing, of the posterior tibial nerve that produces pain or discomfort along the path of the nerve running from the inside of the ankle into the rear foot. Read more here: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm

• Bursitis – inflammation of the sacs that protect and cushion the heel. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000419.htm
   
• Plantar warts – warts on the underside of the feet can be painful. Read more here:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000885.htm

Sources: MayoClinic.com; Medline Plus [National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health]; Podiatrychannel.com; Foothealthfacts.org, the official web site of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons; Heelspurs.com; American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

The simplest and most cost effective way of preventing foot pain is to provide a proper environment inside the shoe by protecting the feet and skin from ill-fitting shoes. 

• The Integrated Fitting Solution™ (consisting of Thorlos® engineered padded socks, an insert or orthotic as necessary, and properly designed and fitted shoes or boots) is the most cost effective clinically proven method to date that provides proactive protection against pressure, shear and impact:
   
• The Thorlos engineered padded sock is the first and key component of the Integrated Fitting Solution. Thorlos thick cushion activity specific socks, properly fitted with an
  activity specific shoe with sufficient room, allow the feet to move more naturally while protecting them from the shoe. Thorlos are made with  proprietary THORLON® acrylic yarn and yarn blends that are designed to cushion and protect the feet, and are the only sock product clinically proven to provide proactive protection against pressure and shear forces, and to provide pain reduction. Click here to visit the Institute for Preventive Foot Health web site and read more about the peer reviewed published medical research conducted with Thorlos engineered padded socks.
   
• Inserts that provide support to correct overpronation, or that provide arch support for high, inflexible arches help reduce stress on the feet. In cases of severe and even moderate pain and discomfort and/or biomechanical issues, custom-made inserts or orthotics may be appropriate. Well-made inserts also help ensure proper skeletal alignment, which can prevent foot pain as well as pain and discomfort throughout the skeletal system.
   
• Properly designed shoes or boots have toe boxes that are sufficiently wide and high to allow the toes to spread and to prevent pressure in the forefoot. Shoes and boots also should not have heels that are too high so as not to place undue stress and pressure on the forefoot. Good solid heel counters in the rear of the shoe or boot help protect the heel and Achilles areas and provide support for the entire foot.  
   
• As always, proper fitting of the three components (beginning with Thorlos thick cushion sock products and moving outward from the foot), as a system, of the Integrated Fitting Solution helps assure minimal pressure, friction and shear on the skin of the feet while increasing circulation, which in turn helps prevent foot pain.

NOTE: The simple test of your need for an Integrated Fitting Solution is that the first thing you want to do when you get home is to take your shoes off.

• Foot pain or discomfort can often be successfully self-medicated. Remember, the real problem is a static shoe that is too tight to allow the feet to move dynamically. The most important factors are to assure sufficient room in the shoes, to use engineered padded socks that are clinically proven to reduce pressure, shear and impact forces, and to assure proper support and alignment for the feet.
   
• If traumatic injuries occur, see a physician or foot specialist immediately.
   
• If conservative treatment doesn't provide relief from symptoms, it is wise to get a sound diagnosis from a medical professional and to pursue a course of treatment appropriate to the diagnosis.

Remember, ALWAYS consult your physician if you have pain, redness, swelling or other indications of problems in any area of your feet that persist for more than a few days, particularly if you have invested in a properly fitted Thorlos Integrated Fitting Solution. If your feet don’t feel better within 30 days of purchase and symptoms persist, Thorlos offers a money back guarantee on all engineered padded sock products (the guarantee does not cover shoes and inserts).

Read more about foot pain here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003183.htm