Where do foot problems begin?
Foot pain generaly originates in one of three places – your toes, forefoot or hindfoot. Toe problems can usually be linked back to pressure applied by badly fitting footwear. Forefoot pain usually involves the five metarsal bones, each of which connects to the bones in the toe and the sesamoid bones, two bones at the top of the first metarsal bone which connects to the big toe. Hindfoot pain may involve heel spurs (calcium build-up) or ligament / muscle pain extending from the heel across the sole (the plantar surface) to the ball of the foot (the metatarsophalangeal joint). Foot pain can usually be attributed to one of the following factors: • Ill-fitting shoes. Poorly fitting shoes are a frequent cause of foot pain. High-heeled shoes concentrate pressure on the toes and can aggravate, if not cause, problems with the toes. • Medical conditions. Any medical condition that affects or alters the way a person walks can contribute to foot pain. Some diseases or conditions may lead to pain
