Does wearing shoes in poor condition cause foot problems?

Runners tend to injure their feet and legs much more than any other athlete. If you are a professional athlete and experience foot pain from running a lot as part of your daily routine, you should take this very seriously. You may have developed foot injuries due to a muscle strain or due to a more acute condition such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. Also, you may suffer from foot pain from bad running shoes!

Let’s quickly review the most common types of foot injuries:

Plantar fasciitis

If you experience chronic pain and swelling on the bottom of your foot, it could be due to a disorder known as plantar fasciitis. Soon, the mild pain will turn into a sharp one that will cause sleepless nights and screams of pain. The pain is like inserting needles or nails into your foot. If your feet get too tense or if you have an abnormal running style, you may develop plantar fasciitis.

As part of the treatment plan, you should improve your walking and running style. Also, ditch your tight running shoes. Buy comfortable shoes with a soft sole and that support your arches. Don’t go barefoot. Try stretching and strengthening your calves and, if possible, rolling your feet on a golf ball.

Achilles tendonitis

When the Achilles tendon (a thick band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone) becomes inflamed and painful, the doctor says that you have developed Achilles tendonitis. Blood flow is reduced to your lower body, including your legs and feet. You will feel severe pain in the back of your foot and above your heel. Common causes of Achilles tendonitis are extensive training that puts pressure on the lower leg, tight calves, and tight shoes. You can apply ice to the affected part to get some relief. You can also wear braces, lift heels, and wear comfortable shoes to reduce pain and swelling.

Iliotibial band syndrome

The iliotibial band or IT is a tendon that connects the knee to the hip. When your IT receives a signal, it leads to a condition called iliotibial band syndrome. Runners find particularly trouble running downhill, as they feel sharp pain in their knees. The pain gets worse quickly if it is not treated for a long time. You can massage the quadriceps and hamstrings around the affected area and also use a foam roller to loosen the muscles. Don’t run downhill and, if possible, change direction while running in the same direction multiple times.

Runner’s knee

If you feel a constant throbbing under the kneecap when you run, it is from patellofemoral knee syndrome or runner’s knee, as it is popularly called. Running on uneven surfaces in shabby women’s casual shoes often leads to a runner’s knee. Treatment includes stopping running for a while and relaxing. You can apply ice to the inflamed area and do some exercises as directed by your doctor. Also, don’t wear tight shoes.

Splints on the shin

When the shin area starts to hurt, it is from shin pain. In extreme cases, the shin splint can develop into a stress fracture along the tibia and cause excruciating pain. The causes of leg cramps are a sudden increase in training time and power. Most of the new runners suffer from this problem. You should rest well followed by ice packs in the area of ​​inflammation. Do not increase the intensity of the training suddenly, do it gradually so that your feet get used to your training technique.