Foot
Health & Shoes
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 wear in our
adult years, we can experience painful lesions which
may not be curable.
CONDITIONS THAT ARE RELEATED TO POOR FOOTWEAR
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 a infected toe nail
from this very poor assumption!
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A SHOE?
HEEL:- In a ideal world the patient should wear a broad
based heel with the height no greater then 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 foot from sliding around the
shoe. This acts as a support to your foot. 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 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 from 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. Their 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 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!
FOOT
HEALTH TIPS
You use your feet everyday, so it’s important
to maintain good foot health. If you have problem feet,
however, you need to implement a better foot health
regimen.
If you want to follow a good foot health plan, you
first need to look at your shoes. Poorly designed shoes
can reduce your overall level of foot comfort, contribute
to such conditions as bunions, corns and calluses, and
irritate sensitive, diabetic or swollen feet. Cushioned,
roomy support shoes, however, can help provide you with
the proper foot health you need.
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