Footwear offers protection and also serves as a fashion accessory. Many people knowingly or otherwise are wearing incorrect footwear; understanding its effects on the body and choosing the right pair can help prevent problems. Dr Siddharth M Shah, Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, S L Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, shares some important inputs about the right footwear to wear.
High heels: High heels put an excessive load on the ball of the foot, resulting in pain and Callosities. They also increase the risk of ankle sprains. Prolonged use of high heels can cause shortening of calf muscles, also resulting in foot pain. They also put increased stress on the Knees, Hips and Spine, causing related issues. For regular wear, avoid wearing heels more than 2 inches.
Footwear and knee Osteoarthritis: If you are suffering from knee pain or Arthritis, avoid wearing stiff or rigid shoes and high heels. Research shows that flexible footwear with a low heel (0.5 inches) reduces the load on the knees.
Footwear and Diabetes: Longstanding Diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which causes numbness in the feet. As a result, one may not feel minor cuts or blisters, which can rapidly progress to serious infection. Regular foot inspection for redness, blisters or cuts and use of specialised soft footwear can help prevent serious complications amongst Diabetics.
Choosing the right footwear:
Fit: Have the length and width of your feet measured while buying new footwear, as your size can change with time. It should be measured in the evening as the feet swell a little towards the end of the day. There should be about half an inch space between your longest toe and tip of the shoe. The widest part of your foot must fit within the widest part of the footwear. There should be no crowding or pinching of the toes. If the shoe is shorter than the foot, it can result in toe deformities. Narrow footwear can cause Corns or Bunions. If the shoe is too big, it may result in blisters and pain due to sliding.
Feel: You should feel comfortable in the footwear. Walk around the store with the new pair to check for comfort. The footwear should be well cushioned to reduce the impact when your feet strike the ground. Remember, the shoe must conform to your foot and not the other way around!
Framework: Choose a shoe with a squared or rounded toe-box. A pointed toe-box can result in Corns, Callosities, Bunions, toe deformities and blisters. The arch of the shoe should complement the arch of your foot. The heel counter (back of the shoe) should be firm enough to resist squeezing-in so it can support the heel well. The shoe must bend at the toe-box and not at the shank (arch area).
Time to change your footwear: If your footwear shows worn out tread patterns, asymmetrically worn out heel, which are obvious defects or signs of wear and tear, then it is time to change your footwear. If your previously comfortable shoe is now causing pain or a change in your walking, it may be a sign of wear.
