These eight common foot injuries can spell trouble for your feet:
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the base of the joint at the bottom of your big toe. Bunions form when your big toe pushes against your second toe, forcing the joint of the big toe to get bigger and stick out. Often, the skin covering the bunion might be red and sore.
Wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow may cause bunions or exacerbate them. This deformity may develop as a result of an inherited structural defect, repeated stress on the foot or a medical condition, such as arthritis.
Hammertoe
A hammer toe is a contracture, or bending, deformity in one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or little toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes. Hammertoes typically start out as mild problems and become progressively worse over time. When diagnosed early, they can often be managed with noninvasive measures but if left untreated can require surgical treatment to correct.
Hammertoes can be caused by ill-fitting or high heeled shoes, trauma or heredity. To prevent or manage these deformities, wear shoes with lower heels, supportive shoes or shoes with a roomy toe box. You also can soak and ice your toes to ease pain.