As many as 81 percent of Americans reported foot pain in 2024.
According to Kuru Footwear’s Prevalence of Foot Pain report, this is a ‘significant increase over the past decade’, with 77 percent reporting pain in 2014.
Foot pain can be caused by several factors, including injuries such as sprains, overuse from exercise, wearing ill-fitting shoes, arthritic bunions and calluses.
Research into different types of foot pain, the Kuru Footwear report shows that arch pain is the most common (39 percent), followed by pain under the heel (35 percent), pain in the ankle (34 percent), pain in the foot . ball of the foot (33 percent), pain in some toes (25 percent), pain on top of the foot (20 percent) and pain in the toes (10 percent).
In an effort to help limit the upward trend in foot pain, a group of top podiatrists – doctors who specialize in foot, ankle and lower extremity conditions – have revealed the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to caring for their feet.
Although they are considered among the most comfortable shoes on the market, foot experts say wearing Crocs is a no-no.
The shoes, which hit the market in 2002, have a flat sole with minimal arch support, which can put strain on your feet and increase the risk of heel pain.
The plastic material they are made of can also lead to sweaty feet and even blisters.
Kuru Footwear, which commissioned the Prevalence of Foot Pain report, said this is a ‘significant increase over the past decade’, with 77 percent reporting pain in 2014.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Dr. Ebonie Vincent, a board-certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist in Californiatold HuffPost, “Don’t get me wrong, Crocs are a good shoe to wear around the house or while doing small chores.
“However, when I see people wearing Crocs at Disneyland or standing for hours on end, I know they are likely to develop foot problems later.”
A lack of arch support in shoes can be harmful because it forces your foot muscles to work harder to maintain proper alignment, leading to potential pain and strain.
Next, Dr. Jason Gold, a board-certified podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Florida, warns against walking around barefoot.
He says more people have started ditching shoes during the Covid pandemic as they spend more time at home.
However, he says the lack of foot support – especially when walking on harder surfaces such as tile and concrete – can cause foot and ankle problems.
He explains: ‘Time and again we hear that people live barefoot and supposedly feel comfortable there.
‘If you consistently don’t provide support for your feet, you will develop calluses or even fat pad atrophy (meaning the fat pad on the heel of your foot thins and causes discomfort).
‘When this happens, walking barefoot is no longer comfortable and limits the options for what shoes you can wear in the future.’
According to a National Foot Health Assessment, approximately 18 million American women and 4 million men report having bunions each year.
Dr. Gold says that for women, high heels, with their raised heel and narrow toe box, can accelerate the growth of bony bumps at the base of the big toes. These bumps, which can be painful and unsightly, are called bunions.
They can also cause corns, heel spurs – small, bony growths that develop on the bottom of the heel bone – and pain in the Achilles tendon – the tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
High heels, with their raised heel and narrow toe box, can accelerate the growth of bunions
He recommends wearing high heels in moderation and occasionally, with supportive footwear – such as sneakers or specially designed flat boots – worn at least 80 percent of the time.
For women who want to add some height to their look, Dr. Gold says platform heels are better than stiletto shoes because they can help relieve pressure on the foot, with a less angular design.
Sticking with the shoe theme, Atlanta-based podiatrist Dr. Jay Spector against playing sports in poorly made shoes not designed for sports.
He says, “Avoid running in shoes that aren’t running shoes.
“Many people buy a cheap pair of shoes and go for a run, and that can cause pain.
“Also, wear the right shoe for the right activity,” Spector added. ‘Avoid wearing running shoes to play tennis and vice versa.’
Wearing ill-fitting or worn-out exercise shoes can also contribute to knee and joint problems, as they can change the way you move and place unnecessary stress on your joints due to a lack of proper support and cushioning.
After finding the right fitness shoes, he recommends replacing them every 300 to 500 miles or every six to eight months.
Another place where people go wrong, foot specialists say, is the way shoes are tied.
They recommend looking at different lacing techniques if you suffer from specific food problems.
For example, Performance Therapies recommends an intricate criss-cross technique that can help better support the ankle and ensure your shoe isn’t too tight.
Meanwhile, a more open lace style, called “wide forefoot lace,” can provide more room for the forefoot and in the toe box of your running shoe.
Regarding lacing, Dr. Michael J. Trepal, professor of surgery and academic dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, says, “Especially in pediatric patients, I would avoid not opening the laces and re-tying them when putting them on.
Hospital: Kandis Saville-Parsons, a mother from Alberta, Canada, suffered a cut on her big toe during a pedicure on July 24, 2018, leading to a life-threatening infection
The former nurse, who has type 1 diabetes and is more prone to foot injuries due to poor circulation, was accidentally cut with a nail file during the salon visit
‘The supportive function of the shoe is lost or greatly reduced in a shoe without laces or with too few laces.’
He noted that this is especially true with a flat foot type or a low arch type, as these are prone to developing symptoms with inadequate support.
When it comes to foot hygiene, podiatrists say there are many areas where people go wrong.
Firstly, it is not recommended to go barefoot in hotel bathrooms and other dirty public areas, such as a gym.
Dr. Gold explains why: ‘I never walk barefoot in a hotel and never shower without slippers to avoid the chance of exposure to warts/plantar warts or foreign objects.
‘Walking barefoot in a hotel or in public places increases your risk of contracting a virus on your feet, known as verruca or verruca.
‘Warts can multiply and become quite large on the foot and are sometimes difficult to remove.’
Likewise, Dr. warns. Gold for visiting dodgy nail salons as they can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
He notes: ‘I would never go to a salon where the instruments are not sterilized after use, which helps prevent the chance of fungal or bacterial infections.
‘Fungal infections cause your nails to thicken and discolour severely over time.’
They recommend paying attention to safety practices when at a nail salon, such as making sure instruments are opened from a new package.
Some of the other post-pedicure conditions that podiatrists warn about include MRSA staph infections, ingrown nails, and foot cellulitis.
DailyMail.com previously reported on Kandis Saville-Parsons’ story.
The mother from Alberta, Canada, had to have her toe amputated and almost died from toxic shock syndrome after contracting the life-threatening bacterial infection from a pedicure.
The former nurse, who has type 1 diabetes and is more prone to foot injuries due to poor circulation, was accidentally cut with a nail file during the salon visit.
Her only passing concern at the time was that the injury to her big toe would not heal properly, but it was quickly developing into a life-threatening wound.
The fabric of your socks can also make a difference in foot health, says Dr. Spector.
He recommends avoiding cotton socks because they “retain moisture and can cause blisters and foot and nail fungus.”
Instead, synthetic materials wick away sweat and moisture.
Finally, for those with foot problems, specialists recommend seeking immediate specialist care, as self-treating conditions can lead to misdiagnosis or worsen problems.