Foot problems can lead to intense pain and mobility problems, which may wreak havoc on your life. Among many examples, the bumpy bunion on your big toe joint can throb and chafe against your sock or shoe; arthritis can slow you down considerably; and flat feet can lead to painful arches and plantar fasciitis.
One very common factor that impacts foot conditions and foot comfort is your choice of shoes. Why does it make such a big difference? If your shoes are designed more for torture than comfort, you’re bound to end up in pain.
The stellar podiatrists at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers know more than a thing or two about how to diagnose and effectively treat a multitude of painful foot and ankle conditions, and they do so with ample medical expertise and a caring touch.
Among the team members, Dr. Jonathan Cutler is dedicated to doing the best for his patients, no matter what condition they're living with.
He always invests in educating you on your foot health and recommending innovative therapies and customized treatments. He listens to his patients because he cares, and he’s dedicated to building trusting relationships and providing long-term relief from pain and movement issues.
Taking great care of your feet starts with wearing the right shoes, but sometimes it can feel a bit like a Goldilocks issue: How do you know whether your shoes are ill-fitting or “just right?” They can feel fine in the store, but with extended wear, problems may arise.
Some of the worst shoes for your feet are ballet flat styles, very high heels — especially skinny stilettos — and any shoes that are simply too small or too big. Believe it or not, without proper guidance from a knowledgeable shoe store associate, it’s easy to think a shoe fits correctly when it really doesn’t.
Different shoes pose different problems. Ballet flats offer no arch support and put you at risk for back, knee, and hip problems, as well as painful plantar fasciitis.
Flip-flops also set you up for foot problems. As with ballet flats, your arches don’t get any support, and since so much more of your feet are exposed, you’re vulnerable to cuts, splinters, and other injuries.
High heels that make you teeter increase the risk of a fall or sprained ankle, and they can cause blisters, swelling, and Achilles tendon pain. Very high platform shoes have rigid soles, which can interfere with normal walking. Both of these types of shoes put your feet into unnatural positions as well.
Finally, shoes with narrow toe boxes that are very pointy strangle your poor toes and the fronts of your feet! This leads to bunions, hammertoes (when the middle joints of your toes bends or becomes frozen in that position), nerve pain, and blisters.
We thought you’d never ask! Even though it might feel as though there are more “no-nos” than podiatrist-approved footwear styles, you still have plenty of choices that are both attractive and support your foot health.
When shoe shopping, look for these features:
Ensuring that your shoes provide support and comfort go a long way toward keeping your feet happy and healthy.
You can also choose styles that make it easier to live with a foot condition. For example, if you have osteoarthritis discomfort, ditch shoes with laces and buy ones that have Velcro closures.
If you live with diabetes, talk to your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provider about cushy orthotics. These inserts can protect your feet from injuries like blisters, which can become serious quickly.
Call South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers to schedule a visit with us if you have any foot issues, or request an appointment online. We have convenient offices in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Belle Glade, Fla.
