Different types of foot problems are very common, a majority of the population suffers at least occasionally from pain or discomfort due to various foot ailments. The reasons are many: bad shoes, poor fit, that the feet are exposed to unnatural stress, age, overweight, and so on. However, many of the problems can be solved or at least alleviated with the help of various orthopedic products and other things, which in combination with correcting the causes behind can make your life much more comfortable.
Below are the foot problems that we will review solutions to in this guide (click to go directly to the topic):
- Periostitis
- Sweaty feet
- Hallux valgus
- Achilles tendonitis
- Heel spur and pain in the heel
- High instep and high arch
- Cold feet
- Low instep and flat foot
- Morton's syndrome
- Sunken forefoot
- Pronation and supination
- Heel fat pad syndrome
- Sore feet
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Problems with Periostitis
What is commonly referred to as periostitis is actually an overload injury, and inflammation of the periosteum. You feel pain in the front part of the lower leg when you put your foot down in the step, most clearly if you run or downhill.
Inflammation of the periosteum often passes by reducing the load, be sure to take it easy for a while until the pain disappears. If it lasts a long time or is recurring, relieving footbeds can be excellent to avoid the problem. People who pronate tend to have more problems with periostitis, so correcting this often reduces the problem.
Products that help relieve periostitis:
Anatomic footbed in leather
+Active Soft Footbed sport insole
+Comfort cushionied insole with arch support (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front part of the shoe)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed good for major problems)
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Tips for treating foot sweat
Everyone's feet sweat, usually about one deciliter per foot a day. However, some people sweat more than that, and you may have sweat that smells worse, which can be experienced as a problem. In the first place, it's important to use shoes that breathe well, for example, all our welted shoes are made with both upper, lining, insole and often also outsole in leather that breathes in a natural way and contributes to a good foot environment.
Otherwise, there are some things you can do to reduce problems with foot odour. A thin leather insole absorbs sweat and can be ventilated between uses. There are also deodorant sprays for shoes that are antibacterial and contribute with fragrance, and a aloe vera based silk spray can cool the feet on hot summer days. Also avoid using barefoot shoes, and choose wool socks (even in summer, thin wool socks cool in the heat) that transport away the sweat in a natural way and doesn't start smell easily.
Products that help relieve sweaty feet:
Insole in leather with cork
Shoe Shame Sweet Feet sneaker deodorant
Saphir menthol deo spray
Silk barefoot spray
Ribbed wool socks
Silk barefoot spray.
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How to relieve and treat Hallux valgus
Most people who have hallux valgus are aware of the condition, and how big the problem is and how much they are affected varies greatly. Hallux valgus is about the big toe being pushed inwards, often as a result of shoes that have been too tight in the toe area, which means that the big toe bone is pushed outwards at its attachment at the bunion, where a bony lump is formed. Hallux valgus can both make shoes fit bad, and cause moderate to great pain.
The most important thing to get rid of hallux valgus is to make sure not to wear too tight shoes, and preferably shoes that have a wider toe box that does not push the big toe inwards. To relieve pain at the big toe, you can use a cover or blister patches that relieve and protect, and also a toe separator to straighten the big toe. An insole with a pelotte or loose pelotte insert also ensures that the forefoot is stretched and that the toes are spread as they should, which prevents continued hallux valgus problems.
Products that help relieve hallux valgus:
Big toe separator
Hallux valgus protector
Blister plasters 5-pack
Pelotte drop-shaped
Pelottesula Pedag comfortable
Anatomic footbed in leather
Springyard anatomic footbed leather mini (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front part of the shoe)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed good for major problems)
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Treatment and tips for Achilles tendonitis
Especially after long hard physical activity, one may have problems with achilles tendonitis. Be sure not to strain the tendons for a while and take it easy, then it usually passes, and feel free to treat with an ointment that increases blood circulation, available at pharmacies.
If it stays for a long time, it's good to relieve the heel as best as possible, for example through a soft and comfortable heel cushion, or with insoles with good cushioning for the heel.
Products that help relieve achilles tendonitis:
Extra soft leather heel cushion
+Comfort cupped heel cushion
+Comfort cushionied insole with arch support (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front part of the shoe)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed good for major problems)
Extra soft leather heel cushion.
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Treatment of heel spurs and pain in the heel
If you get a heel spur, you have severe pain under the heel, due to a bony part that is formed after an overload on the Plantar fascia tendon that runs along the arch of the foot. It's a persistent condition that, although it usually heals on its own, can take over a year before the pain disappears.
In order not to aggravate the heel spur and to reduce the pain, the area where the heel spur is located needs to be properly relieved. A specially adapted soft heel cushion that is cut out for the heel spur usually works best. An ordinary soft heel cushion or footbed with a soft part under the heel can also work well. These also work if you are just sore and have pain in the heel.
Products that help relieve heel spurs:
Soft heel sock
Heel bed for heel spur
+Comfort cupped heel cushion
Extra soft leather heel cushion
Anatomic footbed in leather
+Active Soft Footbed sport insole
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High instep and high arch
The foot has a number of bones and tendons that form several different arches under the foot, where the main one is what is normally just called the arch, but in fact is the medial arch. When the arch is high, you usually also have a high instep, the part between the toes and the ankle, since you have the same number of bones and muscles in the foot and it's mainly about whether they are placed high, normal or low (although there are exceptions, with people who have high instep and low arch, though unusual). If you have a high instep and arch, it can be difficult to find shoes that fit, and it's easier to get tired in the feet, as a smaller part has to take more of the weight distribution and shock absorption.
To begin with, you should choose shoes that have a higher instep, either with last shapes that have this or models like a derby with open lacing, and also advantageously have shoes with good arch support, which is the case with all our welted shoes that are more built in the arch than most shoes are. To avoid getting tired in the feet and get relieve, separate arch inserts can work well, or an anatomic footbeds with arch support, preferably one with a quite built-up arch.
Products that help relieve high instep and high arch:
Soft leather arch support insert
Springyard leather arch support insert
Anatomic footbed in leather
Springyard anatomic footbed leather mini (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front of the shoe)
+Comfort cushionied insole with arch support (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front of the shoe)
Icebug Insoles SLIM HIGH (extra built-in hollow foot)
Icebug Insoles FAT HIGH (extra built-in hollow foot, with extra cushioning)
Springyard leather arch support insert.
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Why you get cold feet and how to prevent it
All people have variously good blood circulation, and this often is felt most of all in the feet, which are far from the pump itself, the heart. If you've e also been unlucky with, for example, having severely frozen your toes at some point, the circulation is forever damaged and you are extra sensitive to cold in the future.
If you often freeze your feet, you should of course use warm shoes, where not least shoes with thick rubber soles are important to insulate against the cold that comes from below. A warm insole that insulates against the cold and retains the heat that the body emits also works wonders. Wear warm socks, even thin socks in wool make you less sensitive to cold, as they insulate well and transport away moisture that otherwise cools.
Products that relieve with cold feet:
Warm wool felt sole
Ribbed wool socks
Warm wool felt insoles.
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Low instep and flat foot
As mentioned in the section on high instep and high arch above, the foot has a number of bones and tendons that form several different arches under the foot, where the main one is what is normally simply called the arch. When the arch is low, the instep is usually also low, the part between the toes and the ankle (although there are exceptions). Flat feet can be hereditary, and many people's feet collapse over the years when muscles and tendons weaken. If the instep is low, it can be difficult to find shoes that can be laced up properly, without the lacing closing completely together.
When it comes to adapting the instep on shoes, there is a simple solution, with a self-adhesive leather tongue pad that is attached under the tongue. It fills the space and makes the fit better for people with lower instep. To avoid the foot collapsing further over the years, it's good to train the muscles in the foot by walking barefoot often and preferably train the feet on a soft balance mat, and to use shoes with or an anatomic footbed in the shoes that provide support for the arch.
Products that help with low instep and flat feet:
Tongue pad
Anatomic footbed in leather
Springyard anatomic footbed leather mini (2/3 sole, so fills up less in the front of the shoe)
+Active Soft Footbed sport insole
Icebug Insole SLIM LOW (specially adapted for flat feet)
Icebug Insole FAT LOW (specially adapted for flat feet)
Tongue pad in leather.
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Treatment and advice for Morton's syndrome
With Morton's syndrome (sometimes also called Morton's disease or Morton's toe), a nerve is pinched between two of the bones in the forefoot, which can cause long-term pain and discomfort, and it's not uncommon to experience numbness in the foot. It may be because you have used too tight shoes, but sometimes one don't know the reason why it occurs.
The first thing you can try is to change shoes, preferably to be more spacious than what you have worn before. If this doesn't help, most people get rid of the problems with the help of pelotte inserts. A pelotte supports the forefoot and causes the toes to separate, resulting in the nerve that has been pinched relieved. There are both loose pelotte inserts and various footbed with pelotte.
Products that help with Morton's syndrome:
Pelotte drop-shaped
Pelotte sole Pedag comfortable
Anatomic footbed in leather
Springyard anatomic footbed leather mini (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front part of the shoe)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed good for major problems)
Ladies foot support Springyard (works also in shoes with high heels)
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Support and treatment for Sunken forefoot
A slightly forgotten arch is at the forefoot, which runs across the foot behind the ball of the foot. Like the medial arch, it is common for the forefoot to collapse over the years, and this can also happen after weight gain or pregnancy. This causes extra strain on the pad and you can get tired and sore here. In some cases, this also causes Morton's syndrome (see above).
An insole with pelotte or loose pelotte insert ensures that it provides support for the forefoot arch and makes the toes spread as they should. Then the pad is also less stressed. If you feel extra sensitive, a sole with proper cushioning at the front might work best.
Products that help relieve sunken forefoot arch:
Pelotte drop-shaped
Pelotte sole Pedag comfortable
Anatomic footbed in leather
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed good for major problems)
Anatomic footbed in leather.
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Pronation or supination
This is about the foot either leaning inwards, pronation, or outwards, supination. Pronation is due to the medial arch of the foot weakening and the foot, from the ankle, getting an inward inclination. Supination is then on the contrary that the foot leans outwards and has an abnormally high load on the outside of the foot, often also causing you to become more or less bowlegged. Common to both pronation and supination is that it results in uneven stress on the body and causes extra strain on either the inside or outside of the foot, which can lead to both small and large problems and pain.
If you prone or supine, you should choose shoes with good support, definitely not soft fabric sneakers. The type of welted shoes that we sell have both a solid heel, a stable heel stiffener and good arch support that works excellent to support and keep the feet straight and give a natural step. You can also use insoles that support the foot and ensure that it doesn't tilt. If you prone, use a footbed with good arch foot support and a built-up heel cup, if you supine, it's important with support and relief for the outer part of the foot, in some cases an oblique heel insert is required.
Products that help relieve pronation or supination:
Anatomic footbed in leather
+Active Soft Footbed sport insole (extra good for supination)
Icebug Insoles SLIM MEDIUM (thinner orthopedic footbed that is good for larger pronation)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed as good for larger pronation)
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Heel fat pad syndrome
A relatively common foot problem that has arisen after too much stress, which causes severe pain under the heel, sometimes it's experienced to occur mainly around the outer edge of the heel. Often due to overload after, for example, running or other physical activity, if you have walked and stood for a long time on a hard surface, or training that involves a lot of jumping.
The most important thing if you have heel fat pad syndrome is that you reduce the stress that caused the problems, for example resting from exercise. Then you often need to offer relieve to the heel, through inserts that both cushion and preferably also hold the heel cushion in place so it doesn't flow out.
Products that help relieve heel fat pad syndrome:
+Comfort cupped heel cushion
+Comfort cushionied insole with arch support (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front of the shoe)
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (cushioning and properly constructed heel cup)
Extra soft leather heel cushion
52 Bones +Comfort cushioned insole with arch support.
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Treatment of sore feet
Many people get sore and tired feet, often because they walk and stand a lot in their everyday life, perhaps on a hard floor. If you also have shoes that don't fit ideally and provide the right support and relief, the problems can be exacerbated.
The most important thing is to have shoes that are comfortable and have a good fit. Make sure to train your feet so that their muscles and tendons do not become slack and lose flexibility, for example by walking barefoot on a soft surface, such as a lawn, or standing and training on a balance mat. Do it in combination with insoles and loose inserts that offers relieve and cushioning where you are in pain.
Products that help relieve sore feet:
Anatomic footbed in leather
Springyard anatomic footbed leather mini (2/3 sole, so fills less in the front part of the shoe)
+Active Soft Footbed sport insole
Icebug insoles FAT MEDIUM (orthopedic footbed with extra cushioning)
Extra soft leather heel cushion
Soft heel grip
Springyard anatomic footbed mini.