Foot Health & Conditions

When you are suffering with advanced ankle arthritis, everyone talks about the pain. Almost nobody prepares you for the daunting decisions regarding your independent future and with only around 1,000 total ankle replacements performed in the UK each year, finding practical, first-hand patient timelines can feel nearly impossible. For me, there was never a discussion … Read more

I’ll be upfront — chilblains aren’t something I’ve personally dealt with, unlike a fair few of the other things I write about here. But between years of living with arthritis and paying close attention to circulation and cold-weather comfort, I’ve picked up a genuine understanding of what actually helps. So this one’s built on solid … Read more

However different the occasion, my outfit is nearly always the same: trousers and a top. Not because it’s what I want to wear, but because arthritis and what my feet allow decide for me. I know how this is supposed to sound, at my age, with arthritis being such a normal part of getting older, … Read more

Everyone got verrucas when I was young. It felt like a rite of passage, really — you went to the swimming baths, and sooner or later, a verruca followed you home. It wasn’t unusual or embarrassing the way it might feel now; it was just something that happened to nearly everyone eventually. Affiliate disclosure: This … Read more

Everyone talks about which shoes to wear during recovery. Almost nobody talks about how you actually get them on in the first place, when bending, reaching and gripping are all things your body suddenly can’t quite manage the way it used to. Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one … Read more

Yes—but probably not in the way you expect. They won’t straighten your toes or cure the condition, but they can make a huge difference to comfort by reducing rubbing, pressure and squeezing.The secret isn’t simply buying wider shoes. It’s finding a shoe with the right width, enough depth and a toe box that gives your … Read more

Not usually on their own. Tight shoes can certainly make hammer toes worse and, in some people, may help them develop sooner, but they’re rarely the whole story. Foot shape, age, arthritis, muscle imbalance and the shoes you wear can all play a part. When something changes with your feet, it’s funny where your mind … Read more

For most people, it’s completely normal. In fact, it’s more common to have one foot that’s slightly larger than the other than two feet that are exactly the same size. And if you’re buying shoes, always fit the larger foot. It’s much easier to make a shoe fit a slightly smaller foot than it is … Read more

Getting older does affect our feet, but age isn’t always the reason they’re hurting. Changes in foot shape, loss of natural cushioning, arthritis, footwear that no longer fits properly and years of everyday wear can all play a part. The good news is that many of those things can be improved. Right, can I ask … Read more

Because the ligaments, muscles and other tissues that support your feet gradually weaken and lose elasticity as you get older. This allows your feet to spread slightly, your arches may flatten, and conditions such as arthritis or swelling can change their shape. As a result, shoes that once fitted perfectly can suddenly feel too tight … Read more