Risk Factors:

A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. The following are factors that increase your risk for foot pain:

Age

Elderly people are at very high risk for foot problems. As you age, your feet widen and flatten, and the fat padding on the sole of the foot wears down. The skin on the feet also becomes dryer. Foot pain in older adults may be the first sign of age-related conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease. Foot problems can also impair balance and function in this age group.

Cosmetic Foot Surgery

Taking fashion to extreme limits, some people have turned to cosmetic surgery as a drastic way to fit into high-heeled shoes. Procedures include surgical shortening of the toes, narrowing of feet, or injecting silicone into the pads of the feet. Such methods may increase your risk for future foot pain. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and other foot-related medical associations have expressed concern over this trend. The AOFAS strongly advises against cosmetic foot surgery and urges consumers to carefully consider the relative risks and benefits of undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures.

Gender

Women are at higher risk than men for severe foot pain, probably because of high-heeled shoes. Severe foot pain appears to be a major cause of general disability in older women.

Occupational Risk Factors

An estimated 120,000 job-related foot injuries occur every year, about a third of them involving the toes. A number of foot problems -- including arthritis of the foot and ankle, toe deformities, pinched nerves between the toes, plantar fasciitis, adult-acquired flat foot, and tarsal tunnel syndrome -- have been attributed to repetitive use at work (for example, walking long distances or standing for many hours). No studies, however, have scientifically distinguished between injuries due to work versus those due to regular use. This is an important issue because of its potential impact on disability claims.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women have an increased risk of foot problems due to weight gain, swelling in their feet and ankles, and the release of certain hormones that cause ligaments to relax. These hormones help when bearing the child, but they can weaken the feet.

Sports and Dancing

People who engage in regular high-impact aerobic exercise are at risk for plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, sesamoiditis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures. Women are at higher risk for stress fractures than men.

Weight gain

Gaining weight puts added stress on the feet and can lead to foot or ankle injuries. The added pressure on the soft tissues and joints of the foot in overweight people increases the likelihood of developing tendinitis and plantar fasciitis.