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Regular wear of the wrong types of shoes can
trigger a myriad of foot problems. From bunions to neuromas,
the adverse effects of wearing high heeled shoes, sandals and
boots can be debilitating.
The following foot conditions are linked to wearing the wrong
shoes:
Bunion
Bunionettes
Callus
Corns
Hag Lundfs deformity
Ingrown toenails
Joint Pain
Mallet toe (Hammertoe)
Metatarsalgia
Nail fungus
Neuroma
Plantar Neuromas
Stress fractures
Tight heel cords
Toenail problems
But these
foot conditions do not develop in a day. Overtime, ill-fitting
shoes and high heel footwear can leave your feet in jeopardy.
Overworked leg muscles, lower back pain, osteoarthritis of the
knee, and ankle injuries are associated with the wear and tear
of high heels.
In the
opinion of Dr. Martin Ellman, (D.P.M. a specialist in podiatry
at Mayo Clinic), wearing high heels does not have to be avoided
altogether. The podiatrist recommends that elevated shoes should
not be worn on a daily basis to lower the risk of acquiring
foot problems.
Use the following tips to help you buy the right shoes:
Select
sensible heels. Shoes with a heel between one and a half inch
and a half or less. Look for shoes with a wide heel base. Since,
stiletto-type heels offer very little support; they do not represent
a sensible selection.
Verify
your shoe size. With age, the feet become wider and longer.
Although it's unnecessary to have your feet measured on each
shoe shopping jaunt, recheck shoe size every two to three years.
For the most accurate shoe measurement, stand-up to enable the
feet expand to their natural sizing.
Go for
feel and comfort. Shoe size alone does not determine the appropriate
fit of a shoe. Comfort is another good way to gage a properly
fitting pair of shoes. |
