Foot Health & Conditions

Finding comfortable women’s soft-top trainers for hammer toes isn’t always straightforward. Even trainers labelled as wide fitting can press down on raised toe joints, causing rubbing and discomfort. The trouble is, a wide toe box isn’t necessarily a deep one. Sometimes it’s the material directly above your toes that makes the difference. A soft, stretchy … Read more

When you are dealing with advanced ankle arthritis, everyone talks about the pain. Almost nobody prepares you for the decisions that come with it — or what everyday life is actually like after a total ankle replacement. Finding a detailed recovery timeline written by somebody who has genuinely been through it isn’t easy. I’ve been … Read more

I’ll be upfront — chilblains aren’t something I’ve personally dealt with, unlike quite a few of the other foot problems I write about here. So this guide is based on research rather than my own experience. I’ve looked at what trusted medical sources say about chilblains, along with the practical footwear features that can help … 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

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