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Flat feet are common and are not automatically a problem. Many people have low arches with no pain at all. Common symptoms Symptoms, when present, may include arch fatigue, heel pain, ankle discomfort or aching after prolonged standing and walking. Why does it happen? Foot shape is influenced by genetics, joint structure, muscle and tendon function, age and previous injury. What can help? Treatment is only usually needed when there are symptoms. Options may include footwear a

Hammer toes occur when one or more of the smaller toes become bent at the middle joint. Common symptoms They can cause rubbing on footwear, corns over the top of the toe, pressure under the tip of the toe and forefoot discomfort. Why does it happen? They may develop because of foot shape, muscle imbalance, arthritis, footwear pressure or long-term changes in the forefoot. What can help? Wider footwear, padding, reducing corns and pressure, and sometimes orthoses can improve c

Corns and callus form when the skin thickens in response to repeated pressure or friction. Common symptoms Callus tends to be broader and more diffuse, while corns are usually more localised and can feel like a painful hard core in the skin. Why does it happen? Common causes include footwear pressure, toe deformity, prominent joints and repeated loading in the same area. What can help? Treatment can include careful reduction of thickened skin, footwear advice, padding, pressu

Pain around the Achilles tendon is common in walkers, runners and active adults. Achilles tendinopathy usually develops when the tendon is repeatedly exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate. Common symptoms Symptoms often include pain or stiffness around the back of the ankle, particularly first thing in the morning or at the start of activity. The tendon may feel tender or thickened, and symptoms can increase after running, hills or prolonged walking. Why does

Metatarsalgia is a general term for pain beneath the ball of the foot. It can have several different causes rather than being a single diagnosis. Common symptoms Symptoms may include aching, burning or sharp pain under one or more metatarsal heads, especially during walking or standing. Why does it happen? Possible causes include increased activity, footwear pressure, reduced cushioning, joint irritation, callus, toe deformity or changes in foot mechanics. What can help? Trea

A high-arched foot, sometimes called pes cavus, places pressure differently across the foot and may be associated with pain in some people. Common symptoms Symptoms can include pain under the heel or forefoot, recurrent callus, ankle instability or difficulty finding comfortable footwear. Why does it happen? High arches may simply be part of your natural foot shape, although in some cases they can be associated with neurological conditions. What can help? Management can inclu

Ankle sprains are very common and often occur when the foot rolls inwards, stretching the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Common symptoms Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking are common in the early stages. Some people later experience stiffness, weakness or a sense that the ankle is unstable. Why does it happen? They usually happen during sport, uneven-ground walking or a sudden change of direction. What can help? Early movement within comfort, gradual stre

The posterior tibial tendon helps support the arch and control the foot during walking. Pain along the inside of the ankle or arch can occur when this tendon becomes overloaded. Common symptoms Pain may be felt behind the inside ankle bone or into the arch. Some people notice swelling, tiredness in the foot or difficulty with prolonged standing and walking. Why does it happen? Contributors can include sudden increases in activity, weakness, reduced tendon capacity, footwear c

Medial tibial stress syndrome, often called shin splints, causes exercise-related pain along the inner border of the shin. Common symptoms Pain is usually brought on by running or impact activity and may initially settle with rest. The area can feel tender along a broader section of the shin rather than one tiny point. Why does it happen? Training errors, rapid increases in mileage, poor recovery, calf weakness, reduced ankle movement and changes in footwear can all contribut

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail irritates or penetrates the surrounding skin, most commonly at the big toe. Common symptoms Pain, redness, swelling and tenderness are common. In some cases there may be discharge or overgrown tissue around the nail edge. Why does it happen? Nail shape, trauma, tight footwear and the way the nail is cut can all contribute. What can help? Mild cases may settle with careful nail care and reducing pressure. Recurrent or more

Fungal nail infection can cause toenails to become thickened, discoloured, brittle or crumbly. Common symptoms The nail may become yellow, white or brown, and sometimes separates slightly from the nail bed or becomes difficult to cut. Why does it happen? Fungal infection is more common after athlete's foot, nail trauma and repeated exposure to warm, moist footwear environments. What can help? Management may involve reducing nail thickness, treating associated athlete's foot a

Hallux rigidus describes stiffness and arthritic change at the big toe joint, which can make walking and pushing off uncomfortable. Common symptoms Pain is usually felt at the top or inside of the big toe joint, with reduced movement and sometimes a bony prominence. Why does it happen? It can develop gradually with age, previous injury, joint shape or repeated loading. What can help? Helpful strategies may include stiffer or rocker-soled footwear, activity modification, insol

Pain on the outside of the ankle can come from the peroneal tendons, which help stabilise the foot and ankle during walking, running and changes of direction. Common symptoms Symptoms may include tenderness behind or below the outside ankle bone, pain with walking on uneven ground, and discomfort when pushing the foot outwards. Why does it happen? It may follow an ankle sprain or develop after increased running, hill walking or repeated loading. What can help? Rehabilitation

Verrucas are warts on the sole of the foot caused by human papillomavirus. They are common in children and adults and can vary greatly in appearance. Common symptoms They may appear as rough areas of skin with small dark dots and can be painful when squeezed or when standing directly on them. Why does it happen? The virus enters through tiny breaks in the skin and can spread in communal changing areas, pools and within households. What can help? Some verrucas resolve without

Diabetes can affect the nerves and circulation in the feet, sometimes without obvious symptoms. Regular foot checks help identify changes early. Common symptoms Potential warning signs include numbness, tingling, altered sensation, wounds that are slow to heal, skin colour changes and changes in foot shape. Why does it happen? Long-term high blood glucose can damage nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of ulcers and infection in some people. What can help? Good foot

A bunion is a change in the position of the big toe joint where the big toe gradually moves towards the smaller toes and the joint becomes more prominent. Common symptoms Symptoms can include rubbing from footwear, redness, joint pain, stiffness and discomfort under the forefoot. Why does it happen? Genetics, joint structure, footwear pressure and the way the foot loads can all play a role. What can help? Conservative care can include wider footwear, padding, symptom relief,

Morton's neuroma is a common cause of burning, tingling or shooting pain in the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes. Common symptoms Some people describe feeling as though there is a pebble in the shoe, with symptoms that worsen in tighter footwear or after prolonged walking. Why does it happen? The nerve can become irritated where it passes between the metatarsal bones, often in combination with footwear pressure and repetitive loading. What can help?

Heel pain is one of the most common foot problems we see in clinic. A frequent cause is plantar fasciitis, more accurately described as plantar heel pain or plantar fasciopathy. It usually causes pain under the heel, often worst with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a while. What is plantar fasciitis? The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue running from the heel towards the toes. It helps support the arch of the foot and stores and rele