These shoes are made for walking …

Pains in the feet can make walking difficult and can also make life difficult if not treated promptly.

A pain in the ball of your foot, the area between the arch and the toes, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centres on one or more of the five bones, metatarsals, in the mid-portion of the foot.

Sometimes, the pain is caused by a callus that forms on the sole of the foot in response to excessive pressure over the bone. Normally, a callus is not painful, but the build-up of skin can increase the pressure and eventually make walking difficult.

Shoes that don't fit properly because they are too tight or too loose can also cause foot pain. Choosing the right sports can prevent foot pain.

Pain on the underside of the foot may indicate a torn ligament or inflammation of the joint. Your orthopaedic surgeon can do some simple tests to assess joint stability.

Most of the time, practical measures can help ease foot pain. Your doctor may recommend that you use a shoe insert as a kind of shock absorber and if the problems persist, you may be offered you custom made insoles.

Soaking your feet to soften calluses, then removing some of the dead skin with a pumice stone or callus file will also ease pressure. Occasionally, surgery may be necessary to remove a bony prominence or correct a deformity.