Wearing ill-fitting shoes simply because they look good is one of the main causes of foot pain. Bad shoe habits continued over a long time can lead to permanent damage of the foot necessitating treatments such as cutting of bone, joint fusion, and reattachment of tendons to relieve symptoms and restore function.
Here are a few types of footwear that may be causing your foot pain:
- High heeled shoes: The problem with high-heel shoes is a 1-inch heel increases the stress on the balls of your feet by 25%. So, with a 3-inch heel you have 75% of your body weight supported on a tiny portion of your feet. This causes increased stress on the foot ligaments and tendons.
- Pointed-toe shoes: Shoes that are pointed in the toe-box area may cause your toes to be cramped in unnatural positions. This can lead to the formation of bunions and hammer toes.
- Flip-Flops: The problem with flip flops is that they do not provide any arch support. Plus, you must curl your toes while walking which can lead to misshapen toes in the long run.
Age-related changes
You also need to consider the changes in the size and shape of feet that occur with age. If at 50 or 60 years of age you are wearing the same shoe size that you wore in your twenties, your shoes are probably too small.
When buying shoes, it’s important to ensure they fit and are comfortable in the store. Never assume a new shoe will fit better after wearing it for a few days. There should be enough room in the top box area and good arch support. Consider buying shoes with laces or Velcro straps that can be adjusted to fit the shape of your foot to some extent.
Changing to a comfortable pair of shoes at any age will have a positive effect on the health of your feet,and it may help avoid the need for invasive treatments to correct foot problems in the future.
NewportCare Medical Group is a comprehensive specialty group located in Newport Beach, California specializing in advanced non-surgical and surgical treatments for a wide range of orthopedic conditions.
