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How Walking and Running Shoes Differ

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Walking and running shoes are designed differently because the feet move in different ways during each activity. Walking places the heel on the ground first before the toes roll forward, so walking shoes usually have flexible soles that bend near the ball of the foot and an angled heel to soften each step. Running sends greater force through the feet, and many runners land on the midfoot or forefoot, so running shoes are built with thicker, lighter soles to absorb shock and reduce fatigue over distance. Shoes with inadequate support can lead to pain in the heels, arches, or ankles, including irritation of the plantar fascia or the Achilles tendon. Choosing the proper shoe for your activity can help limit stress on the feet. A podiatrist can assess gait and offer treatment options to address the problem. If you experience foot problems after walking or running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked

Friday, 09 January 2026

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Foot Corns and How to Relieve Discomfort

Tuesday, 06 January 2026

Foot corns are small, thickened areas of hardened skin that develop due to repeated pressure or friction, often on the tops, sides, or soles of the feet. They commonly form from wearing tight shoes, abnormal foot mechanics, or frequent walking or standing. Symptoms include raised, rough bumps that can be tender or extremely painful, especially when pressure is applied. Corns can interfere with walking and daily activities, if left untreated. A podiatrist can safely remove corns, address the underlying cause, and recommend strategies to prevent recurrence. Treatment may include padding, custom orthotics, footwear adjustments, and guidance on proper foot care. Corns can cause extreme pain. If you have developed a foot corn, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When Your Ankle Feels Unstable

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

https://footeducation.com/ankle-instability/

An ankle that feels unstable can create a sense that the joint is too loose. This is often due to stretched ligaments on the outer side of the ankle that can no longer hold the joint firmly in place. Looseness can develop after repeated sprains or a single major injury, and people sometimes notice the ankle rolling inward more easily during walking. A high-arched foot or a heel that tilts inward can increase strain on the ligaments and contribute to ankle instability. Pain might occur on either side of the ankle because altered mechanics put stress on nearby structures, like the peroneal tendons. A podiatrist can evaluate gait, check ligament stability, and review imaging to determine whether the issue is true mechanical instability or pain that mimics it. Surgery may be considered if the stretched ligaments do not respond to more conservative care. If you feel like your ankle "gives way," when standing or walking, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
Ankle sprains
Broken ankles
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Reasons for Having Bunion Surgery

Tuesday, 23 December 2025

A bunion can lead to steady pain at the base of the big toe, especially when the bump grows larger as the toe shifts toward the second toe. When wider shoes or protective pads no longer reduce discomfort, surgery to correct the deformity may be considered. Reasons for choosing bunion surgery include pain that interferes with daily movement, difficulty walking more than short distances, or swelling around the big toe joint that does not improve with rest. Some people also struggle to bend or straighten the toe because the joint becomes too stiff. Surgery helps realign the bones of the big toe and reduce the bony prominence so the foot can function more comfortably. A podiatrist can assess the size and severity of the bunion and recommend the best plan for relief. If you have a painful bunion, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Eastern Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

Redness and inflammation
Pain and tenderness
Callus or corns on the bump
Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Greenville, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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