Recent research suggests Americans are feeling the strain from the ground up.  According to the 2025 Foot Pain Trends Report by KURU Footwear, 63% of the 2,000 adults responding to the survey reported experiencing foot pain within the past year, marking a rise in acute cases compared to 2024. Nearly 42% traced their pain to injuries, overtaking workplace causes that previously topped the list.

A separate survey sponsored by KURU paints an equally troubling picture on the job: 56% of the 1,000 workers who responded experience foot pain daily, and 61% describe their pain as moderate, enough to slow productivity and affect morale.

Taken together, the findings reveal an emerging issue that crosses from home to workplace — one with real consequences for occupational foot health, safety, performance, and retention.

Key Trends at a Glance

Beyond the rise in injuries and acute pain, the 2025 Foot Pain Trends Report reveals several insights that help explain how and why Americans are hurting their feet — and what that means for the workplace.

• Chronic conditions are lasting longer. Nearly one in five respondents said their foot pain has persisted for more than a year, and many report ongoing discomfort that flares up at work or during daily activity.
• Younger adults are feeling it too. Foot pain is no longer just a midlife issue; the report found significant increases among adults ages 25 to 44, suggesting lifestyle and job-related strain are accelerating the onset of chronic problems.
• Pain management is mostly reactive. While 67% of respondents said they spend money monthly on relief — through insoles, shoes, or treatments — fewer than half have sought professional care, relying instead on self-treatment or over-the-counter fixes.
• Footwear plays a starring role. Ill-fitting, unsupportive shoes remain one of the top aggravators. Respondents who wore supportive or ergonomic footwear reported faster recovery, fewer recurrences, and less associated back or knee pain.
• The financial toll is significant. Americans spend an estimated $4 billion annually on products and treatments for foot pain, not including lost work time or productivity impacts.

Taken together, these findings show that foot pain isn’t just a symptom of aging or overuse; it’s a growing quality-of-life and performance issue, one that starts long before a worker files an injury claim.

Foot Pain on the Clock

For many employees, foot pain doesn’t clock out at the end of the day — follows them home. In the KURU survey, more than half of respondents said their foot pain interferes with how they perform on the job.

Nearly one in five workers (19%) have filed a workers’ compensation claim tied to their condition, and almost half (48%) have considered changing jobs or roles just to find relief. About a quarter (24%) believe their job has caused lasting damage to their feet.

When foot pain flares up, the coping strategies vary:

• 20% take more breaks than usual.
• 18% rely on pain medication during the workday.
• 16% have sought care from a medical provider.
• And 12% now wear orthopedic or medical footwear to get through their shifts.

While not all workers blame their jobs directly, 62% said their pain is worsened by work, a clear indicator that the environments and demands of many occupations are contributing to long-term discomfort and lost productivity.

Certain industries bear the brunt. Healthcare and retail workers report some of the most persistent pain from long hours standing and walking on hard floors. Construction and manufacturing employees face heavy lifting and uneven terrain that strain the lower body. And in hospitality and logistics, endless walking and standing take their toll day after day.

Across sectors, the pattern is the same: chronic workforce foot pain erodes comfort, efficiency, and morale—quietly turning a personal health issue into an organizational challenge.

Insights on How to Prevent Foot Injuries in the Workplace

At the 2025 American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Conference, WorkCare’s Senior Vice President of Prevention Services Bryan Reich delivered a presentation on the importance of foot heath in protecting the kinetic chain — the sequence of joints and muscles from the feet upward. His team in partnership with Voran (a safety shoe company) found that ergonomic footwear reduced physical load on the lower body by 40% compared to standard safety shoes.

That message is backed by data from the 2025 Foot Pain Trends Report, which found that 47% of respondents who experience foot pain also report back pain, underscoring how lower-body strain can affect overall health and mobility.

In field testing, workers valued features of Voran safety shoes such as cushioning, lightweight design, flexible soles, breathable materials, and wide toe boxes. Many reported fewer musculoskeletal complaints, less fatigue, and two out of three participants even stopped using orthotics once they switched to ergonomic work shoes.

When it comes to foot injury prevention at work, not all shoes are created equal. The following list highlights key features of ergonomic footwear for workers that can help reduce the risk of foot injuries and shorten recovery times:

• Arch support
• Wide toe box
• Cushioning for shock absorption
• Firm heel counter for stability
• Breathable, moisture-wicking materials
• Slip-resistant traction

His message was clear: workers are industrial athletes, and just like professional athletes, they need equipment that protects performance and prevents injury.

What OSHA Requires

Beyond comfort and productivity, foot protection is also a matter of compliance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide protective footwear whenever there are hazards that could cause foot injuries — including falling or rolling objects, punctures, or electrical risks.

• In general industry (29 CFR 1910.136), employers must ensure that workers wear protective footwear that meets ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413 performance standards, or equivalent.
• In construction (29 CFR 1926.96), safety-toe footwear must meet ANSI Z41.1 or equivalent standards.
• Employers are required to perform a hazard assessment (29 CFR 1910.132) to determine whether foot hazards are present and to select appropriate PPE.
• In shipyard and maritime work, 29 CFR 1915.156 applies, with similar requirements for protective footwear.

It’s also important to note: while employers typically do not have to pay for standard safety-toe boots that can be worn off-site, they must provide specialized protective footwear — such as metatarsal guards or electrical hazard boots — at no cost to the worker (OSHA Employer Payment for PPE).

WorkCare partners with employers to go beyond compliance, helping to identify hazards through ergonomic assessments, ensure PPE programs align with OSHA standards, and support preventive strategies that reduce long-term injury risk.

Maintaining Occupational Foot Health: Practical Steps for Employers

Investing in footwear is one of the most practical ways to reduce foot injury risk at work and improve occupational foot health. Evidence from both the KURU survey and the Foot Pain Trends Report points to clear steps:

• Implement footwear programs: Subsidize ergonomic safety shoes with arch support, cushioning, and wide toe boxes. Shoes with moisture-wicking materials and breathable uppers reduce fatigue and blister risk on long shifts.
• Prioritize early intervention: Encourage workers to report pain before it escalates, and use gait checks or ergonomic screenings to identify risks.
• Run pilot trials: As Reich’s testing showed, field trials let employees test different shoe types and provide feedback before rolling out company-wide.
• Leverage innovation: Wearable insoles can track pressure points, 3D-printed orthotics offer custom support, and telehealth consultations allow faster interventions for foot injuries.
• Replace shoes regularly: Worn-out soles redistribute stress unevenly and undo ergonomic benefits. Experts recommend replacing shoes every 6–12 months of regular wear.

How WorkCare Can Help

The 2025 Foot Pain Trends Report makes one thing clear: early intervention not only reduces the severity of conditions but also lowers long-term healthcare costs by reducing the need for expensive treatments.

That principle is at the core of WorkCare’s approach to occupational foot health. We help employers identify risks early, address symptoms before they escalate, and create healthier, more productive work environments. Our team combines clinical expertise with on-site experience to keep employees moving safely and efficiently.

WorkCare specializes in protecting the workforce from the ground up:

• On-Site Clinics and Injury Care to catch issues early and provide immediate triage.
• Industrial Athlete Programs that strengthen biomechanics and reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders through footwear.
• Ergonomic Assessments to evaluate footwear, flooring, work surfaces, and task demands.
• Wellness Programs that educate employees on stretching, proper footwear, and early symptom reporting.

When foot pain and the related injuries it can cause are addressed proactively, the result is a healthier, more stable workforce and measurable ROI in fewer claims, reduced absenteeism, and improved morale.

Final Thoughts

Healthy feet are not just a personal concern. Occupational foot health is the foundation of workplace safety, morale, and productivity. Employers who invest in prevention can expect fewer injuries, stronger retention, and a healthier bottom line.

As Bryan Reich reminded safety leaders at ASSP: “Let’s rethink safety from the ground up.”

WorkCare is ready to help you take that first step. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of ergonomic footwear for employees.