Feet are hurting

For women, this may be particularly true, likely because many women wear shoes that are too small for their feet. The result? Conditions like bunions, hammertoes, or other painful foot deformities—all of which can take the spring out of your step. Here, the most common issues that may keep you from pounding the pavement, and what to do for happy feet once again.

AARP's caregiver resource center can help family caregivers navigate their roles. Visit today. Although feet are built to take this punishment in stride, wear-and-tear problems can develop over time. In fact, 77 percent of adults said they have had a foot ailment and half say they experience foot pain , according to the a survey from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

As shock absorbers, our feet cushion up to one million pounds of pressure during a single hour of strenuous exercise. They also support 1. It is not hard to see why our feet are highly susceptible to injury.

Walking gets us where we need to go and is one of the easiest ways to stay in shape. Because we use our feet so much, occasional aches and pains are common, especially after walking for long periods. Overuse is a common cause of foot pain, but an underlying injury or medical condition can also cause your feet to hurt when you walk. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue that runs lengthwise across the bottoms of your feet. It usually causes a stabbing heel pain that you feel when you take your first steps in the morning.