shoe fitting Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain

Properly fitted shoes are so important to foot health

BioPed Footcare — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:06:07 +0000

When did you last give your feet the attention they deserve? Even though our feet are the foundation of our bodies, we often overlook the importance of properly fitted shoes. If you strive to do more in life, it’s crucial to understand how a shoe should fit!

Shoe shopping can be challenging and sometimes frustrating as each year, make and model can fit differently. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to a variety of foot issues, including blisters, calluses, bunions, and ingrown toenails. Over time, these issues can worsen, causing significant pain and discomfort. Properly fitted shoes will provide the necessary support for your feet and will reduce the risk of these common foot complaints. Well-fitting footwear can also alleviate pain and discomfort in your ankles, knees, hips and lower back. Arch support and cushioning can make a world of difference, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet at play or at work!

What to look for when picking your next shoe?

When shopping for a shoe look for the following features:

Length: Shoe length is essential for a proper fit. Make sure to measure both your feet with a foot measuring device, known as a Brannock. It is common to have one foot slightly longer than the other. Measure from the heel to the longest toe. This measurement will give you a good idea of what size of shoe you should be wearing, however always remember, each brand has a slightly different fit, so you may need to go up or down a size. When trying shoes on there should be approximately half an inch of space from the longest toe to end of the shoe. This will ensure that your toes can move when you walk. If you can feel the end of the shoe, try going up a half to a full size. Also, too large a shoe can cause slippage at the heel or rubbing under the bottom of the foot.
Width: When measuring length with the Brannock device, you must measure the width of the foot as well. The shoe should fit snug, but not too tight, and you always should be able to wiggle your toes. If the shoe is too wide, it will be creasing across the toe as you walk. You may also be able to grip extra fabric across the toe box and it will likely cause slippage when walking causing blisters. If your toes need to constantly grip to stabilize the foot, heel pain or plantar fasciitis could result. Alternatively, if the shoe is too narrow, you may see spillage over the sides of the shoe and bulging of the material around the foot. It will feel uncomfortable because the foot is being squeezed and may lead to bunions, hammer toes, corns or blisters.
Correct Depth: The depth of a shoe is usually not noticed until it is not there! It’s important to make sure your foot is fully accommodated. If you have difficulty putting the shoe on or feel pressure on the top of your foot when wearing it, it could be a sign that the depth of the shoe just isn’t enough! A shoe that is too shallow often leads to irritation causing redness, blisters, callus and corns. Laces and Velcro straps allow you to tighten or loosen as desired. The depth of a shoe is especially important for those that have toe deformities, such as hammer toes.
Firm heel counter: The heel counter wraps around the back of the heel of your foot. If it’s flimsy and easily bends, it does not offer the support your foot needs, as it does not stabilize your heel while walking. When it’s firm and fits snug around the heel, it will hold the heel and provide needed support and comfort.
Midfoot Support: Flexibility in the toe area is fine and allows for proper toe off while walking however, you shouldn’t be able to bend or twist a shoe in its middle section. If a shoe is too flexible, you will not get the support you need through your midfoot when you walk. This may lead to injuries such as sprains, strains, plantar fasciitis, or tendonitis. When there is firm support in the midfoot, the structures in the foot will be protected and comfortable when walking.

Important to remember

Shoe size can change over time, especially if you have gained or lost weight, and can even fluctuate from morning to night. It’s best to measure your feet every time you shop for shoes. Always try on shoes and walk around as much as possible. Choose a shoe that matches your activity. A running shoe feels different than a dress shoe. Look for a thicker sole that grips when walking, providing more traction on slippery surfaces, and breathable materials to enhance comfort and durability.

Properly fitted shoes are imperative to maintain foot health and overall well-being. If you are experiencing foot pain or discomfort, our BioPed lower limb clinicians are here to provide a personalized solution. Take the first step towards happier, healthier feet today!

The post Properly fitted shoes are so important to foot health appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Why Properly Fitted Shoes are Important

BioPed Footcare — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:31:38 +0000

Shoe shopping can be confusing and sometimes, frustrating. Each brand or model can fit differently. Also, shoes have various shapes that may feel different on your foot versus someone else’s. No matter your style, the fit of the shoe should be the most important factor when choosing a new pair.

Why is the right fit important?

We wear shoes outdoors and often indoors all day long. Many people even wear slippers or sandals in the home to help relieve aches and pains in the feet. If the shoes and slippers we wear are not supportive, or are the wrong fit, that foot pain won’t go away. In fact, by wearing the incorrect shoe fit we can actually make it worse.

What constitutes a “perfect fit” ?

Assessing Length: Measuring length and width on a shoe measuring “Brannock” device is one of the best ways to find out what the right fit looks like for you. When trying on the shoe up to half an inch of space is normal at the toe; more than half an inch is probably too long. A shoe that is too long may cause slippage at the heel or rubbing along the underside of the foot as it slides with walking.. As long as you do not feel the tip of your longest toe rubbing against the front or top of the shoe, the length is acceptable.

Finding the Right Width: Finding an appropriate shoe width can be difficult. When the shoe is too wide, there will be diagonal creasing across the toe as you walk. Additionally with a longer shoe, when standing, you will be able to grip extra fabric across the toe box. The shoe will feel sloppy and loose along the whole of the foot. Alternatively, if the shoe is too tight you might see spillage over the sides of the shoe and bulging of the material around the foot. You may also feel a squeezing sensation across the toes or forefoot and be unable to move them freely in the shoe.

Feeling for the Correct Depth: Depth of the shoe is a less noticeable feature until it’s not there. Whether you have orthotics or not, making sure your foot has space within the shoe is crucial. If you have a hard time getting your foot into the shoe or feel pressure on the top of your foot once it is on, it may be a sign that the depth isn’t there. Toes may rub against the upper material, and if the shoe does not have laces or velcro straps to adjust, the shoe can cause redness, irritation and squishing of the joints. Especially if you have contracted toes/”hammertoes”, you will want to find the right depth before a corn appears from pressure points.

Look for a shoe that truly holds your foot – no heel slipping out the back, no toes crushed against the top of the shoe and no pulsing pressure through the foot.

Key footwear features

Adjustable enclosure – laces or velcros straps to adjust the size of the shoe opening to facilitate getting your foot into the shoe. Also, it allows for adjustment of how tight the shoe can be held against the foot. This is key, especially for thicker foot types that may have trouble fitting into a conventional slip on, or those with a narrow heel that slips and rubs against the heel. This feature also accommodates swelling in the feet. Many people’s feet do swell by end of day.

Firm heel counter – This is less a feature for slippers, but may be found in orthopedic slipper brands. The heel counter is what wraps around the back of the heel of your foot. When it is flimsy and easily bends, it does not offer support or control to your heel. Therefore, it would not hold your foot in the correct position or offer support to that pivotal structure. When it is firm, it sits snugly around your heel, cupping it to control and support the rearfoot.

Supportive arch – You should not be able to bend or twist the arch or middle of the shoe. If it is too flexible you are not getting any support through the midfoot when you walk. For flexible feet this can spell disaster as your foot is able to move in any way, at any time, predisposing you to injury. When the arch is firm, however, it supports the structures of the midfoot throughout gait and ensures better support and control of the foot overall.

To help you navigate these features and fit, reach out to your local BioPed clinic. They are happy to help you find the right fit, in the right shoe, for your feet.

The post Why Properly Fitted Shoes are Important appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.