Metatarsalgia (met-a-tar-sal-jee-a) is a condition that causes pain in the forefoot—or ball of foot—the area between your arch and toes. The five metatarsal bones transect the midsection of your foot, connecting your ankle bone to your toes. Also known as ball of foot pain or a stone bruise, the area under your toes can be a common source of pain because it supports your weight when standing, walking, or running.

A bunion is a bump that forms at the base of your big toe on the outer part of your foot near the metatarsophalangeal joint. This joint supports most of your weight while walking or standing, and it undergoes a lot of wear and tear over a lifetime. Stress and pressure on the joint can cause the big toe to move abnormally at the base. A bunion forms when the base of the big toe grows larger and sticks out as a result of the altered motion. As the bunion gets worse, it angles your big toe toward your second toe, causing irritation and inflammation on both toes.

Corns are round areas of thickened skin on your toes and feet that develop due to repeated pressure on the skin, caused by the rubbing of your toes against the interior of your shoe. Generally calluses form on the bottom of your feet or toes, while corns form on the top or between the toes. In many cases, foot corns and calluses go away gradually once the friction or rubbing stops.

When you walk or run, your foot experiences a normal inward rolling motion just after it hits the ground. Over pronation happens when the foot rolls too much or at a time it shouldn’t during the gait cycle. Too much weight is transferred to the inner side of the foot, thus forcing that inside edge to bear the load instead of the ball of the foot. The foot then attempts to achieve stability by compensating, which sets off a chain reaction of poor positioning throughout the leg. Insoles for over pronation can help correct this.

By contrast, under pronation is when the foot does not flatten out as much as it should. The heel hits the ground on the outside edge, which does not allow enough pronation for proper shock absorption. Stress-related fractures and other injuries can follow.

A heel spur is a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone—or calcaneus. The bony growth usually begins on the front of the bone and extends forward towards the arch of your foot. Heel spurs vary in size and develop from calcium deposits that form where the plantar fascia connects to your heel bone. A heel spur doesn’t typically cause pain on its own, but in certain cases when a heel spur is noticeably prominent underneath your foot, and you can actually feel it under the skin, it can cause discomfort and pain.

Heel spurs are often caused by repeated strain on the muscles and ligaments underneath the foot, and by the tearing away over time of the layer of skin that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs also form when the plantar fascia overstretches and pulls away from the heel. People who put heavy stress on the plantar fascia may develop heel spurs from excessive running and jumping, as well as standing for long periods.

Orthotic inserts with arch support and padded heel cups can be used to help relieve pain and discomfort from heel spurs, as well as support the ligaments and tendons surrounding the heel bone.

PROFOOT Plantar Fasciitis insoles —This patented arch orthotic is designed to specifically support the entire plantar fascia and transfer pressure off of painful heels. With a deep heel cup that provides support and stability, and a gel heel insert that absorbs shock, this insert offers guaranteed relief of plantar fasciitis. Available in men and women’s sizes.

PROFOOT Triad Orthotic—This three-quarter length insert provides 3-Zone support for heel, arch, and ball of foot. These three zones give shock absorption and relief to the balls-of-your-feet, arches, and heels to protect your knees, legs, and back. Available in men and women’s sizes.

High arches are an inherited condition where your arch is much higher or raised than normal. High arches don’t necessarily cause pain, though your foot can feel more tired and achy when you have them. Highly arched feet can make it difficult to fit into regular shoes. Trying to wear shoes without enough room or support to accommodate a high arch can be painful because more stress is placed on the metatarsals. In this way, high arches can be instrumental in causing or worsening plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.

Over-the-counter orthotics can help balance your foot and ankle, stabilizing your arch. Insoles and arch support help restore your foot to a neutral position, which helps diminish pain. A combination of firm arch support and cushioned shock-absorbing padding on the footpad can relieve pain in the arch of your foot.

PROFOOT Plantar Fasciitis insoles —This patented arch orthotic is designed to specifically support the entire plantar fascia and transfer pressure off of painful heels. With a deep heel cup that provides support and stability, and a gel heel insert that absorbs shock, this insert offers guaranteed relief of plantar fasciitis. Available in men and women’s sizes.

PROFOOT Triad Orthotic—This three-quarter length insert provides 3-Zone support for heel, arch, and ball of foot. These three zones give shock absorption and relief to the balls-of-your-feet, arches, and heels to protect your knees, legs, and back. Available in men and women’s sizes.

Nail-bed fungus is also called onychomycosis. It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender and hygiene and is spread by direct contact with skin or with infected surfaces.