Most of us have worn a pair of shoes that pinched and wondered whether it mattered. For at least one kind of pain, the answer is yes.
AAOS OrthoInfo explains that if you have your foot in a tight shoe, the top of the middle toe joint will rub up against the shoe surface and cause pain. So a shoe that feels tight is not only an annoyance, since it can be the direct source of the soreness.
The cheapest fix is the shoe itself
Checking a shoe takes no skill. Put it on, stand up and see whether it rubs anywhere. If it does, stop wearing it for long stretches. That step costs nothing and is easy to undo, since the shoe goes back in the closet and you lose nothing.
Fit advice for specific situations is easy to find. APMA has tips on choosing shoes for sports, and the AAOS has a page on tight shoes and foot problems. Families can also look at Foot Health Facts on shopping for school shoes and the APMA page on buying children's footwear.
If the soreness stays
If the pain remains after you switch, or you cannot tell which shoe is at fault, bring it to a foot and ankle professional in or near Wood Dale rather than waiting it out.
A word to first-timers
Paying attention to a rubbing toe is not fussy. It is a small, practical check, and anyone can do it.