APMA 2025 Report Links 10 Common Foot Problems to Ill-Fitting Shoes

Switching up your shoes each day keeps your feet healthier prolongs shoe life and prevents discomfort from daily wear.

Wearing the wrong shoes can do more than just hurt your fashion statement—it can trigger an array of painful and sometimes persistent foot problems. From heels and narrow-toed styles to unsupportive flats and shoes that simply don’t fit, here are the most common foot conditions linked directly to what you wear.

1. Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the joint of the big toe. Tight, narrow, or pointy-toed shoes push the big toe inwards, resulting in pain, swelling, and joint deformity. Over time, the toe may angle towards the second toe. Bunions can also occur due to genetics, but ill-fitting shoes are a major culprit.

2. Hammertoes and Claw Toes

Hammertoe occurs when the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, often due to shoes that crowd the toes or are too short. Claw toes, where several toes curl up permanently, can also develop in shoes that force toes into unnatural positions. Both conditions are painful and can cause corns and calluses from friction inside the shoe.

3. Corns and Calluses

Excess pressure and rubbing from shoes that are tight, too loose, or cause abnormal friction often result in thickened, painful skin on the toes or balls of the feet. Corns develop between or on top of toes, while calluses usually form under the ball or heel.

4. Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

Shoes lacking proper arch support or with excessively hard soles can aggravate the ligament along the base of the foot (plantar fascia), leading to persistent heel pain and inflammation. Flat shoes, flip-flops, or high heels worn for long periods are typical culprits.

5. Morton’s Neuroma

Narrow or high-heeled shoes that compress the forefoot can irritate the nerves between the toes, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. This causes burning, tingling, or numbness in the ball of the foot—a condition called Morton’s neuroma.

6. Ingrown Toenails

Shoes that squeeze the toes together, especially those with tight or sharply angled toe boxes, can alter toenail growth so that nails dig painfully into the flesh. Most commonly, the big toe is affected, leading to pain, redness, and sometimes infection.

7. Blisters

Friction from ill-fitting shoes—too tight, too loose, or stiff new styles—can cause fluid-filled blisters on the toes, heel, or sides of the feet. Blisters are uncomfortable and can increase infection risk if not treated.

8. Flat Feet and Fallen Arches

Shoes with poor arch support may contribute to flat feet or fallen arches, which can cause chronic foot pain and fatigue. Prolonged use of unsupportive footwear strains the muscles and ligaments of the foot arch.

9. Diabetic Foot Complications

For people with diabetes, any shoe-related pressure area—even a small blister or sore—can quickly escalate. Shoes that are too tight or rub the skin raise the risk of ulcers and serious infections due to reduced sensation in the feet.

10. General Foot Pain and Fatigue

Even without obvious deformity or injury, shoes that don’t fit, lack cushioning, or place excess strain on parts of the foot can cause chronic pain, swelling, and fatigue—limiting movement and activity.

American Podiatric Medical Association said: “Wearing the same shoes every day does not allow the materials to fully dry and recover, increasing your chances of developing fungal and bacterial infections.”

How to Prevent Shoe-Caused Foot Problems

• Always choose shoes with adequate arch support, cushioning, and a roomy toe box.

• Avoid consistently wearing high heels, pointy styles, or unsupportive flats.

• Alternate shoes to allow them to fully dry out between wears and prevent moisture buildup.

• Replace worn-out pairs—shoes that lose support can be just as damaging as improper styles.

Listen to Your Feet

If you notice foot pain after wearing certain shoes, it’s time for a change. Footwear is an extension of health—choosing well now helps you walk comfortably for a lifetime.