Shoes & Foot Health

INTRODUCTION

How many of us wear the best shoes for our feet? Most people wear the shoes that they feel are most attractive, regardless of the damage they can cause to their feet. The foot contains 26 bones which do not fully set until we are around 18 years old. If we wear inappropriate footwear in our younger years we will feel the pain in later years. Similarly, if we wear poor fitting shoes in our adult years, we can experience painful lesions which may not be curable.

CONDITIONS THAT ARE RELEATED TO POOR FOOTWEAR

• The major cause of bunions is poorly fitted footwear.
• Corns, calluses and bursitis can also be cause by poor fitting footwear.

• Heel pain.
• In-growing toenails.

THE WORST ASSUMPTION!
"THESE SHOES WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE ONCE I'VE WORN THEM IN!"

Do not anticipate the need to break in shoes. If shoes do not feel comfortable straight away then they simply do not fit. You may get a corn or an infected toenail from this very poor assumption!

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A SHOE?

HEEL: - In an ideal world the patient should wear a broad based heel with the height no greater than 4cm. However, the size of the heel is often governed by fashion. If you consider that your heel takes your entire body weight during a stage in your waking, then consider the possible complications that can arise due to a large thin heel (i.e. corns), you would be better with a more suitable shoe.

HEEL COUNTER: The heel counter is the portion of the shoe which holds the heel in place at the sides and the back and prevents the feet from sliding around the shoe. This acts as a support to your feet. It helps to stabilize and maintain the position of the heel as the shoe contacts the ground. A stiff heel counter is recommended as a weak heel counter becomes less supportive and may lead to ankle sprains.

SOLE: The bottom of the shoe should be flat and have adequate cushioning.
UPPER: The material that forms the main part of the shoe should ideally be leather and have some flexibility to it. Shoes with a very rigid upper may lead to corns on the feet.

LINING: This is found inside the shoe and should be soft and without seams. If there are protruding seams present it can lead to cuts and infections of the feet.

FASTENINGS: The fastenings hold the foot in the shoe. All shoes should have laces, straps, buckles or Velcro. Patients who wear slip on shoes are usually wearing shoes that are too small for them and are more inclined to ankle sprains.

SHOE BUYING TIPS

• Stand barefoot on a piece of cardboard and draw around your foot. Cut the piece of cardboard out and insert it into the shoe which you wish to purchase. There should be 1cm between the end of the cardboard and the heel counter of the shoe. The width of the foot should correspond with the largest part of the foot.
• Always purchase shoes from a shop with a large selection of shoes and with well trained staff. Get your feet measured every time you purchase a shoe as the width of your foot may change from time to time.
• Always try on both shoes and make sure they fit your larger foot. Walk around the shop to get a feel for the shoes.
• If your feet tend to swell, shop for shoes later on in the day when your feet are swollen.
• Take the socks or insoles with you that you anticipate wearing most often.
• Buy a shoe with adjustable fastenings such as laces, buckle or straps.
• Buy shoes that are suitable for your feet and not just suitable for your image!

AS ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A CHIROPODIST