5 common foot problems and how to cope with them

Many conditions affect the feet and can cause pain. Five common problems are bunions, fallen arches, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of treatments for relief. New approaches include stretching the calf muscles to improve the way feet fit into orthotic insoles; shock-wave treatment for plantar fasciitis; and minimally invasive surgeries for bunions and hammertoes that involve small instruments and incisions. Tried-and-true therapies include soaking feet when an ingrown toenail causes pain, or wearing a splint at night for plantar fascitis.