Dealing with Fall Foot Pain
Cooler weather is here to stay, and it’s about this time of the year that we at NY Foot Health know that many of our podiatrists begin to hear complaints of unexplained foot pain. Changes in season bring changes in footwear, which can be the starting point of new or worsening foot discomfort for many people.
Why Are My Feet Hurting?
Your feet may feel more confined in the closed styles of autumn shoes than in sandals and open-toed summer footwear, but that feeling should resolve quickly. Persistent foot pain and discomfort in the fall has several potential sources:
Too much time in flip flops—if these were your “go-to” shoes this summer, you may be paying for it now in the fall. Traditional flip flops (and going barefoot) leave your feet without the arch support they need to perform properly. Arch and heel pain are often the result of spending long periods in this type of footwear.
Your shoes are too small—foot size can change! Even as an adult, it’s important to periodically get your feet professionally measured to ensure you are wearing the correct size. Ligaments and tendons in your feet may lose elasticity as you age, causing your feet to spread and get larger. Weight gain and pregnancy can also necessitate larger shoes.
You have a new or worsening foot problem—certain foot conditions, such as toe deformities like bunions and hammertoes, are progressive. This means that over time, they get worse, not better. Open-style summer shoes may have masked a toe deformity progression, and now that you’re back to closed styles, that progression has become more noticeable.
Foot-Friendly Solutions
The first step when dealing with new or worsening foot pain is to make an appointment with your podiatrist. Need to find a foot doctor in your area? Use our online directory to locate one near you. The podiatrist will examine your feet and determine the source and proper treatment for your foot pain.
You can also do your part to improve the health of your feet by choosing high-quality shoes that fit your feet properly. Look for styles made from breathable materials with roomy toe boxes, good arch support, and heels no higher than two inches. Refer to the APMA Seal of Approval shoe program to find shoes that are good for your feet.
Fall is a great time to purge those shoes that hurt your feet or show signs of wear and tear.
To learn more about the causes of foot pain and how to treat them, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.