Head over heels: 3 causes of feet pain

Oh, slinky stilettos and strappy sandals, how we love thee! But are our favourite shoes actually ruining our feet? Feet pain from heels is more common than we think, says DR ZACKARY CHUA from ACME Orthopaedics. From bunions to ankle sprains and pain in the heel, the orthopaedic surgeon breaks down three common foot woes and how to keep our heel-loving feet happy.

Feet pain from heels #1: bunions

If you’ve noticed an increasingly prominent bump forming on the side of your big toe, it might be a bunion. Dr Chua describes it as a “deviation of the big toe outwards, leading to a painful bump over the inner big toe joint”.

While genetics has a role to play in this condition, it is sadly worsened by wearing tight fitting, pointy shoes. “Over time, the bump becomes more prominent and painful and, in severe cases, can push the second toe upwards.” The good news? Catching it early matters. Dr Chua recommends wide toe-box shoes and toe spacers for early-stage bunions, which help to give your toes room to breathe. If bunions progress, surgery can be done. “Modern surgery has minimally invasive options that leave much smaller scars,” he says.

Feet pain from heels #2: plantar fasciitis

Do you feel a sharp pain in the heel every morning when you get out of bed? You might be suffering from plantar fasciitis. Dr Chua describes the condition as “pain in the heel when taking the first several steps in the morning or at the end of a long day of walking.” While the key culprits are inflammation and wear-and-tear, it is commonly exacerbated by poor footwear, prolonged poor working posture and ageing.

If you find yourself dealing with plantar fasciitis, Dr Chua suggests immediately swapping your heels and strappy shoes for footwear with better cushioning and exploring treatment options such as stretching exercises for the foot and calf, shockwave therapy and steroid or PRP injections. Prevention is equally important. A way to minimise risk is by adopting good working posture and wearing footwear with adequate cushioning.

Feet pain from heels #3: ankle sprains

An ankle sprain is no fun, and it’s another common injury that Dr Chua encounters often among his female patients. He describes it as an injury to the lateral ligaments of the ankle that leads to chronic discomfort or swelling, with a sensation of the ankle frequently “rolling over”.

Besides sports, wearing high heels or shoes with a narrow platform is another leading cause of this injury and the resulting foot pain, says Dr Chua.

If you’ve unfortunately sprained your ankle while wearing heeled or narrow shoes, you may need to consult a doctor or orthopaedist. Treatment options include physiotherapy as well as keyhole surgery if the painful symptoms persist.

The takeaway? Your footwear choices matter more than you think. Invest in properly fitted shoes with good support and when pain persists, seek help from a medical professional. Your feet will thank you!

About the doctor

Dr Zackary Chua is Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at ACME Orthopaedics. He has dual specialisations in foot and ankle surgery and paediatric orthopaedics. His years of training and experience in Singapore, Australia and the UK have given him the knowledge and skills required to ensure a smooth recovery journey in patients.

ACME Orthopaedics
• #05-36 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road
• #03-06 Parkway East Medical Centre, 319 Joo Chiat Place
6956 6588 | WhatsApp 8877 3318 | acmeortho.com.sg | info@acmeortho.com.sg

This article on feet pain from heels first appeared in the December 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!