Proper Footwear
Information From The American Podiatric
Medical Association
Proper footwear can reduce foot problems
From ancient Egyptian times down through the centuries, footwear has
been designed to meet mankind’s real and perceived needs—protection,
support, comfort, sturdiness, and stylishness.
Feet endure tremendous pressures of daily living. An average
day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons on them. They
are subject to more injury than any other part of the body, underscoring
the need to protect them with proper footwear.
Doctors of podiatric medicine are health care professionals
trained for both palliative and surgical care of the foot and ankle. They
also are fully qualified to recommend selection of the right pair of shoes,
or address other aspects of foot health, for all members of the family.
Children’s
Shoes
When a child begins to walk, shoes generally are not
necessary, allowing an infant to go barefooted in doors, or to wear only
a pair of socks, helps the foot grow normally and develop its muscles
and strength, as well as the grasping ability of toes.
As children grow more active, and their feet develop,
the need for shoes becomes apparent. It becomes necessary to change shoe
sizes at a pace that frequently surprises and even dismays parents, to
allow room for growth.
When
purchasing shoes for children, remember these tips:
• Examine the shoe itself. It should have a firm
heel counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate cushioning
of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend
where the foot bends—at the ball of the foot, not in the middle
of the shoe.
• The child’s foot should be sized while he or she is standing
up with full weight-bearing.
• There should be about one-half inch of space (or a thumb’s
width) between the tip of the toes and the end of the shoe. The child
should be able to comfortably wiggle his or her toes in the shoe.
• Have the child walk around the store for more than just a few
minutes wearing the shoe with a normal sock. Ask the child if he or she
feels any pressure spots in the shoe. Feel the inside of the shoe for
any staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation.
Examine where the inside stitching hits the foot. Look for signs of irritation
on the foot after the shoe is worn.
• Shoes should not slip off at the heels. Children who tend to sprain
their ankles will do better with high-top shoes or boots.
• Both feet should be measured, and if two different sizes, shoes
should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.
Women’s
Shoes
Women inflict more punishment on their feet in part from
improper footwear that can bring about unnecessary foot problems. Some
of the problems result from high-heeled shoes (generally defined as pumps
with heels of more than two inches). Doctors of podiatric medicine believe
such heels are medically unsound, and attribute postural and even safety
problems to their use.
To relieve the abusive effects of high heels, women can
limit the time they wear them, alternating with good quality sneakers
or flats for part of the day.
They can also vary heel height. There are comfortable
and attractive “walking” pumps (also called “comfort”
or “performance” pumps) for work and social activities, that
blend fashion considerations and comfort, offering pumps with athletic
shoe-derived construction, reinforced heels, and wider toe room.
Activity has a bearing on the considerations; wearing
the right shoe for a particular activity is probably as important a factor
in the choice of shoes as any.
Perhaps the best shoe for women is a walking shoe with
laces (not a slip-on), a polymerized composition sole, and a relatively
wider heel with a rigid and padded heel counter, no more than three-quarters
of an inch in height.
Men’s
Shoes
The best shoes for men are good quality oxford styles,
shoes ordinarily associated with wing-tip or cap toe designs. Also suitable
are slip-ons, dressy loafers, and low dress boots.
Men as well as women should buy shoes for work, leisure,
and special activities, matching the shoe to the activity.
Male (and female) office workers should earmark three
to five pairs of shoes for business hours—general oxfords and loafers
for men; pumps and oxfords for women. Cushioned-sole shoes that give good
support are essential for those who spend most of their working days on
their feet.
There is no question about the need for foot protection
for those who work in heavy industry. Safety shoes and boots—those
that are waterproof or water-resistant, with insulated steel toe caps
and soles of non-conducting materials—help prevent injuries to the
feet, and reduce the severity of injuries that do occur.
Shoes
for Athletics
Different sports activities call for specific footwear
to protect feet and ankles. Sports- specific athletic shoes are a wise
investment for serious athletes, though perhaps a less critical consideration
for the weekend or occasional athlete; nevertheless, it’s a good
idea to use the correct shoe for each sport. Probably a more important
consideration is the condition of the shoe—don’t wear any
sport or other shoes beyond their useful life.
Athletic footwear should be fitted to hold the foot in
the position that’s most natural to the movement involved.
For example, a running shoe is built to accommodate impact,
while a tennis shoe is made to give relatively more support, and permit
sudden stops and turns. For sports, “cross trainers” are fine
for a general athletic shoe, such as for physical education classes. But
if a child is involved more heavily in any single sport, he or she should
have a shoe specifically designed for that sport.
Shoe
Care
For longer service, keep shoes clean and in good repair.
Avoid excessive wear on heels and soles. Give your shoes a chance to breathe
— don’t wear the same pair two days in a row (you prolong
the life of shoes by rotating their use). Never wear hand-me-down shoes
(this is especially important for children).
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