It sometimes feels like the curse of middle age...
Foot pain can afflict anyone although the type you get depends on how old you are and how you live. A study has found middle-aged men are most likely to suffer from aches in their toes, particularly if they have arthritis or are obese. And young women joggers are most prone to pains in the ball or arch of their foot.
The University of Adelaide study could help people change their lifestyle to lower their risk. Published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, it analysed data from 558 foot pain sufferers.
Researchers found older people are most afflicted by pain at the front of their feet, while heel pain is more often seen in middle-aged women who are overweight. Heavy drinking can also cause aching heels as alcohol abuse is linked to musculoskeletal pain.
Lead author Dr Tiffany Gill said: ‘Foot pain is a problem that is often under-recognized but can have a significant impact on daily life and activities. ‘By understanding the characteristics of those reporting that they have foot pain, we can potentially provide more targeted preventative strategies.’