Is Fall Footwear Hurting Your Feet?

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At NY Foot Health, we know many podiatrists see an increase in complaints of foot pain, especially from female patients, as we move into fall. Why? Cooler temperatures mean saying goodbye to sandals, flip flops, and other open shoe styles and hello to pumps and other types of shoes that are closed. It can exacerbate an existing condition or cause a new one to develop. Below are three potential foot problems fall footwear may bring to the forefront.

  1. Bunion—the telltale bump at the base of the big toe is a visible sign of a deformity inside the foot. As the toe bone and surrounding tissue move out of place and start to drift toward the second toe, the bump outside of the toe grows larger. Pressure from enclosed toe shoes put pressure on the bunion and may even result in enough friction to create a blister or corn.

  2. Neuroma— this painful condition, sometimes referred to as a nerve tumor or pinched nerve commonly found between the third and fourth toes. Although this is a benign growth of nerve tissue, it can cause pain, burning, or tingling in the ball of the foot. Patients with this condition say it feels like they are walking with a pebble in their shoe. The majority of patients who have neuromas are women, and high-heeled shoes are a primary reason. Other causes include trauma to the nerve or a biomechanical defect like flat feet or an overly high arch.

  3. Ingrown toenails—although some patients are predisposed to ingrown toenails, wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes that force the toes up against one another is a contributing factor to this condition. Keeping toenails trimmed straight across and not rounding the corners can reduce the risk of ingrown nails.

If the change of seasons brings foot pain or discomfort, make an appointment with your podiatrist to track the cause and get the appropriate treatment. Don’t have a podiatrist? Use our online directory to find a foot doctor in your area.