Common Foot Problems of Runners

Westend61 / Getty ImaMost runners will find themselves sidelined with a foot ailment at some point. Anything from a simple blister to a more complex stress fracture can put a halt to training planMost running injuries generally involve the lower body, including the knees, ankles, hips, groin, and legs, but it seems the feet take a significant hitTrusted Source compared to the other body parts.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common foot problems in runners, why they occur, how to identify them, and how to treat and prevent them.What are the most common foot problems experienced by runneAs any runner can attest, the feet take most of the heat when pounding the pavement. If you overtrain, ignore pain, or neglect preventative care, you may find yourself with one of the following foot problems experienced by runners.

BlisteBlisters may not be a serious injury, but they sure are painfu“Blisters are caused by excessive friction within the environment of the shoe due to excess wetness with sweat while the skin will soften, leaving high-pressure skin areas at risk,” says Donna Robertson, Ped, ATC-MS, a certified pedorthist, athletic trainer, and teaching consultant for Foot Solutions.

She recommends wearing shoes withheel contrthe right midfoot baappropriate toe room for spreading and gripping actithe right shoe flex to match your metatarsal flAlso, be aware of any irritating seams, stitching, or enclosures that cause skin frictionToenail damaSome runners can experience toe rubbing against the front of the shoe if the shoes are too small or the foot is sliding forward, especially when running downhill.

Robertson says this is common in runners training for long-distance events. “When this happens, the nail is pushed down into the nail bed, becoming bruised and inflamed, often leading to loss of the nail,” she sayHallux rigidThe base of the big toe is home to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which bends each time you take a step. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), if this joint stiffens, running can be especially painful.

Experts call this hallux rigidus or “stiff big toe.” Arthritis of the big toe MTP joint can lead to hallux rigidus, and according to the AAOS, it may result from an injury to the toe or overusePlantar fasciiPlantar fasciitis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the plantar fascAccording to Andrew Schneider, DPM, a board certified podiatrist, the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone and extends across the bottom of the foot. With each step, it pulls on the heel, and significant repetition, such as with running, may cause it to become inflameSchneider says plantar fasciitis is common in runners who have flat feet, but it can also be seen in runners with high arches. “Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury, caused by the stress a runner places on the feet,” he says.