Foot pain can negatively affect day to day life. If you’re suffering with foot pain, it may be time to take a look at the shoes you’re wearing and how well they actually fit. If footwear is too big, feet will move around excessively and if too small can put pressure on the toes. Feet should always be measured in length and width and the importance of footwear should not be underestimated. Properly fitted footwear can significantly increase comfort and function and can also alleviate several foot conditions. Your BioPed team has experience in fitting footwear for each individual they see and will ensure a proper fit!
Bunions & bunionettes
A bunion is a bony bump on the side of your foot by your big toe and a bunionette is a bump on the side of your foot by your baby toe. Both increase the width of your forefoot and can become painful when footwear is too narrow as it puts pressure on these prominent areas. When footwear is removed, inspect the skin over a bunion or bunionette; if it’s red or swollen, your footwear is likely too narrow.
Morton’s neuroma
A Morton’s neuroma is a ball of nerve fibres in between the metatarsals or long bones in the front of the foot. It most commonly occurs between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals and causes radiating pain and sometimes numbness into these toes. Footwear that is too narrow will squeeze the metatarsals together. In other words, allowing the toes to splay when walking will help alleviate this uncomfortable sensation.
Ankle joint instability
When walking and running, our feet need a stable base of support. If footwear is too large, it may lead to the foot moving more than it should. When this occurs, the foot and lower body will work harder to compensate for this instability. Additionally, the ankles may be more susceptible to “rolling”, especially on uneven terrain. As previously mentioned, knowing the size of your foot in length and width are both imperative to finding a good fit.
Blisters
They start with a burning sensation and quickly turn into a fluid filled sac between the layers of the skin. Footwear is the usual suspect that causes blisters to form on the feet. Ill-fitting footwear can rub or lead to friction on the surface of the skin. If you notice redness on certain areas of your foot when you take your shoes off, this can indicate a source of friction.
Corns & calluses
Thickened skin on the bottoms of feet, tops or in between toes can make walking uncomfortable. Corns and calluses are caused by a shearing force, or when the ground moves in the opposite direction of the foot. Footwear that is fit well will prevent the foot from sliding around too much inside the shoe, or rubbing on the toes causing these painful lesions to form.
Throughout the day our feet can accumulate swelling so it is best to shop for shoes later in the day when your feet are at their largest. BioPed clinicians would be happy to find the right shoes for you. They will take the time to measure the length and width of your feet and explore various options to suit you best. Give your local BioPed a call today!
