When we walk the foot is the only part of the body in contact with the ground and this means that a lot of forces and stresses can act on the foot with each step.
Sometimes the foot has to cope with greater forces and stresses – perhaps due to excess pronation or sporting activities – that can lead to aches and pains but sometimes the foot can become sensitive even to the normal forces of walking.
This could be because the foot has changed shape, so parts of the feet rub against the shoes more than they used to. It could be because the foot is less protected with thinning fat pads and thin, fragile skin. Or it could be because the foot is injured and even small forces or movements are painful. In each of these cases the feet can be said to be more “sensitive”.
Some people who may be more likely to experience “sensitive feet” include:
People with diabetes – changes to the foot shape, a reduced ability to feel pain, and dry fragile skin can all mean the foot is more prone to injury
People with arthritis – changes to the foot shape together with pain and stiffness in the joints can make the feet sensitive
Elderly people – as we get older there can be lots of changes to the feet – the shape and movement of the feet change, and the skin can be dry and fragile making it more easily injured
People who have experienced a minor foot injury where forces and stresses acting on the feet may aggravate pain and discomfort
Diabetes is a life-long condition affecting the body’s ability to produce or use insulin; the hormone that allows glucose to be used effectively in the body. Diabetes can have some important effects on the feet due to its effects on the nervous system and the circulatory system.
Damage to the nervous system can mean that the foot is more likely to be injured. It can lead to changes to the foot shape and walking pattern, resulting in the areas of the feet being exposed to higher pressures. It can also make the skin become more dry and fragile. People with diabetes may also start to lose the ability to feel the sensations of pain in their feet. All of these effects of diabetes can make it more likely that the foot could be injured and that any injury will go unnoticed.
Damage to the circulatory system can make it difficult to heal any injuries and if there is an infection this can be more difficult to fight off.
To help prevent injuries from happening and to make sure that injuries are noticed quickly the feet should be checked on a daily basis.
It is also very useful to:
Have a regular foot care regime which includes daily washing, drying and moisturising
Keep the nails trimmed
Choose appropriate footwear and hosiery that will not add to the forces affecting the feet
Avoid standing on stones or sharp items by checking inside the shoes and not walking barefoot
Avoid burns by checking bath temperatures and keeping the feet away from radiators and fires
See a healthcare professional about any changes to the feet, any foot conditions or wounds that do not heal
Have a regular check up in line with a recommended treatment plan
Arthritis is a term used to describe over 200 musculoskeletal disorders leading to pain in the joints; the two conditions most commonly referred to as arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
In osteoarthritis the cartilage of a joint roughens and becomes thin. The bones of the joint thicken and the joint can become swollen. The bones ends may rub against each other and start to wear away. This can force the bones to move out of their normal position and can lead to joint deformities.
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain and stiffness in the affected joints and deformities can develop.
The joint at the base of the big toe can become stiff or even rigid, leading to pain and stiffness and may affect normal walking
The ankle joint and arch area can also be affected and can cause difficulty and pain when walking
Hammer toes may develop causing areas of high pressure on the tops of the toes and affect weight distribution under the foot
In rheumatoid arthritis the membrane of the joint becomes inflamed and swollen. The cartilage and bone can also become inflamed. The swelling causes the joint tissues to stretch causing to movement of the joint into deformed positions.
Joint swelling, pain and stiffness are common complaints with rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation makes joints feel hot, tender and painful.
It is very common for rheumatoid arthritis to affect the joints of the feet which can lead to foot pain that can contribute to, or cause, walking difficulties.
Bunions and hammer toes can develop which may lead to corns and calluses forming on areas exposed to pressure and friction
Changes to the shape of the toes can also result in areas of high pressure under the ball of the foot. The fat pad that provides natural cushioning under the ball of the foot is often displaced and so the high pressure can be painful. Calluses can develop
Rheumatoid arthritis in the arch of the foot can cause pain and discomfort and a flat foot may develop. The heel area can also be affected
As the feet get older there are numerous problems that can lead to an increase in foot problems. Changes to the skin, fat pads, foot shape and size, deformities and changes to the gait pattern all contribute to foot problems, as do diseases that are more common with older age such as arthritis and changes to the circulatory and nervous systems.
The skin becomes thinner and less elastic with age and can also become dry and flaky. Calluses may develop. The skin can be prone to damage and less able to repair quickly
The fat pad under the ball of foot can become thinner. This provides less cushioning and can lead to high pressures under the metatarsal heads
Deformities of the toes can be common with older age. This can include bunions and big toe stiffness, hammer toes, clawed toes and retracted toes
With age the muscles in the feet become weaker and this can lead to changes to the way the older person walks, changing the way forces are distributed through the feet
Minor foot injury can occur either as a result of an accident or as a result of excessive stresses on the tissues of the feet.
Accidental damage to the foot can result in broken bones, muscle strains, sprains, and joint dislocations. These accidents are usually caused by stretching the tissues beyond their normal range (e.g. a sprained ankle in which the ligaments are damaged) or by a direct blow to the foot causing damage.
Injuries causes by excessive stresses can occur when the tissues are repeatedly exposed to forces e.g. during sports.
The pressures generated during walking and the movements of the foot which would usually go unnoticed may lead to pain and discomfort in the injured foot.
The Solution
The Scholl Orthaheel Sensitive Feet Orthotic Inserts have been designed to reduce pressure and friction on the feet, support the foot, and provide excellent cushioning. This can help to reduce the chance of developing a foot injury caused by pressure or friction on the feet, and reduce pain and discomfort caused by these forces.
