A guide to choosing athletic shoes

The wrong type of footwear

Many foot problems arise due to wearing ill fitting footwear. People think formal footwear or evening footwear when they talk about bad fitting footwear. There is a wide range of athletic footwear available in the market. What do you do when your old shoes are worn out and you need new ones? You go to your favorite footwear store, and pick up a shoe that looks good and feels good. You walk about in it, up and down the shop and if it feels comfortable, you buy it. Little do you realize that choosing the right kind of athletic footwear is as important! 

If you are a couch potato who does minimal to no exercise at all, any pair of shoes is fine. But if you do any kind of exercise, like gyming, jogging, walking etc, you need to find the right footwear that will support that kind of activity. If you are into more athletic activities like basketball or football, even if it is in the park with your colleagues or friends, it pays to buy the right kind of shoes. 

Tips to buying good athletic shoes

Every kind of exercise uses different parts of your feet. You know that different muscles are used for different sports. You can feel the tension in those muscles when performing that activity. Likewise, different spots of your feet get stressed when participating in different kinds of sports. The shoes that you wear should support the area of stress, depending on the activity that you are performing. 

Test your foot

The first step to choosing the right shoes is to understand your feet. The best way to do that is to look at your last pair of worn out shoes. Check and see which parts of the shoes are worn out. Depending on your activity and the shape of your foot and your gait, the shoe will be more worn out in certain areas. Now you know which part of your feet needs more cushioning and support.

Read up on shoes

There is a lot of material online about the different kinds of shoes available. This is not merely marketing. Most shoes these days are tested thoroughly, and used by sportspeople, before being vetted as good for that particular activity.

Talk to your podiatrist

If you have any kind of foot problem it is a good idea to talk to your podiatrist and get their inputs. They could also give you more information on splints and guards to protect your feet.

Ask the salespeople

The salesperson knows the products inside out. If you explain to them the kind of activity that you indulge in, they will be able to help you find a shoe that is designed for that activity.

Don’t multi task shoes

Many people use the same shoes for running, basketball, skipping etc. If you regularly do a number of different sports at the same time, you should have shoes that complement that sport. Otherwise by using the wrong shoe for the wrong sport, you could end up injuring yourself. For example, walking shoes are stiff, running shoes are flexible. If you alternate regularly between both these exercises, you should have different shoes for each. 

Be aware of foot change

Due to sports or age and many other reasons, the shape of your feet and your stress points could change. So you should check your old shoes for new worn out spots, and see a podiatrist and get advice before getting new shoes.

Remember, shoes can make or break your foot!

Flat feet in adults

What is flat feet?

Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot collapses. The entire foot is in contact with the floor since the arch that supports the leg has collapsed. Flat feet can be hereditary and can occur in children. When it is diagnosed in children, it can be corrected using special shoes that help raise the arch of the feet. 

Can flat feet occur in adults?

Flat feet can occur in adults because of injury or prolonged stress to the foot. This is called adult acquired flat footedness. If flat feet occur in an adult, it is due to the collapse of the arch and this acquired flat foot is permanent. The reason why flat feet occur often as people age is due to the usual and known risks like hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Flat feet can sometimes occur in pregnant women but it is usually temporary. 

Symptoms that accompany AAFD

1. There may be pain along the posterior tendon of the tibia which is on the inside of the foot or ankle. There may be swelling around the ankles.

2. Collapse of the arch may cause a shift in the heel bone and this may put pressure on the fibula causing stress related pain and swelling.

3. People who gym regularly or jog will be unable to do so if their arch collapses. Any kind of high impact activity will be quite painful and in severe cases, people can have difficulty with normal walking.

4. Old injuries or the onset of arthritis may cause an arch collapse resulting in flat footedness

5. Diabetics could get flat feet and they should be extra careful as their illness may cause numbness in the extremities and the patient may not feel pain. 

How does an arch collapse happen?

AAFD is caused when the posterior tendon of the tibia is damaged. This tendon begins at the calf and goes along the inside of the leg and attaches to the bones of the feet. This tendon is responsible for holding the arch of your foot up. If this tendon gets injured, the arch of your foot will collapse. In people with arthritis or diabetes, the steady degeneration of the tendon will lead to an eventual collapse of the arch. 

Treating AAFD

There are special shoes and other orthotics to help in the treatment of flat feet. AAFD is permanent so there is no cure for it. But your podiatrist will be able to help you treat it and lessen the pain. Some helpful products that are available for flat feet are:

• For mild cases where the pain is not so severe, gel supports that conform to the contours of your foot and have a raised arch will help support your collapsed arch. These gel supports can be fitted into any kind of shoe and worn on a regular basis.
• For a more painful AAFD, the Orthofeet BioSole-Gel Self Forming Orthotics Sport is a self-forming arch-support that uses bladder construction, filled with polyurethane foam and viscoelastic gel and shapes dynamically to the contours of the foot without bottoming out.
• In severe cases, Aircast AirLift™ PTTD Brace offers foot support and ankle stabilization. Located under the foot arch is the aircell. This is adjustable with the Hand Bulb (included with the brace). When it is inflated, the aircell can accommodate variances in arch shapes and heights and can comfortably lift the foot arch to achieve a more natural foot position.

AAFD cannot be cured but a podiatrist will be able to help you deal effectively with the symptoms that it causes!

Diabetics and foot problems

People who suffer from diabetes are at a high risk for a number of problems including foot ailments. Some of the common foot problems that people who suffer from diabetes could get are diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, athlete’s foot, fungal infection of the nails, ingrown toenails, bunions, calluses, corns, blisters etc.

Preventing diabetic related foot problems

By taking care of your diabetes, you are taking care of your foot problems too. But even so, it is advisable for a diabetic to see a podiatrist regularly to make sure that they are not at risk from any kind of foot ailments. Wearing the right kind of shoes can go a long way in keeping foot problems at bay. 

There are some good looking shoes especially made for people with diabetes. They look good and protect the feet. Some of them are:

The Orthofeet Women's Slip-On Wedge 

This is a therapeutic shoe that looks as great as it feels. Orthofeet shoes offer the most comfortable fit and pain relief for those suffering from diabetes, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, hammertoes, corns, Morton’s neuroma, and swollen feet and toes. Orthofeet Easy Slip-On Low-Heel shoes combine handsome, non-binding design, along with a unique closure system and therapeutic shoe detailing for the ultimate comfort and protection. 

Orthofeet Women's Slip-On Wedge Shoe with a strap

This is a lightweight shoe with a moderate wedge design that provides comfort and looks attractive. It has supple leather with extra foam padding in the tongue and collar. The hook and loop straps and a wide opening make for an easy on/off shoe. The construction across the metatarsals provides extra room, if needed, to accommodate swollen feet and forefoot deformities, especially bunions. It has seamless fabric lining, padded with foam enhances comfort and protection. It has a stretchable padded collar along the entire edge of the upper insures comfortable fit, box and eliminates pressure points. Wider and deeper toe box ensures a comfortable fit, even for those with hammertoes and corns. It has a cushioning sole for added comfort. It is made of light weight EVA midsole and rubber outsole. It has an adjustable and customized fit with a single strap that can be fastened on either side of the shoe. 

SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer

The SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer is a safe, easy and highly effective way to provide a healthier in-shoe environment for feet and is doctor tested and recommended. It kills up to 99.9% of the germs that cause foot infections and offensive shoe odor and helps keep at-risk feet safer. The combination of sweat and heat inside the shoe makes for a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria and fungi that cause toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and foul odor. And when foot conditions already exist, then shoes can also be a common source of post-treatment re-infection. Therefore, to fully minimize the likelihood of new or re-infection, germs must be eradicated at the risk source! Hundreds of doctors dispense SteriShoe and patients across the US benefit from SteriShoe every day. 

The innovative SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer kills the germs that reside inside shoes with a special germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC). With the first treatment, SteriShoe destroys up to 99.9% of the microorganisms in shoes, including the bacteria and fungi that cause toenail fungus (onychomycosis), athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and offensive foot odor. SteriShoe is also an excellent choice for those with diabetes or concerned about their foot hygiene.

With this kind of good looking and comfortable shoes available, people suffering from diabetes no longer need to compromise looks for protection.

Did you know that foot burning may be due to diabetic neuropathy?

Burning feet!

When you hear the term burning feet, the image that jumps to mind is ‘feet on fire’. Well, you won’t be too far wrong. People who suffer from burning feet actually feel their foot getting warm and in severe cases, the feet feel as though they are burning up.

Burning feet is usually associated with neuropathy due to diabetes. There are a number of other reasons why people could suffer from burning feet. Some of them include Lyme disease, alcohol abuse, AIDS, thyroid problems, kidney disease, vitamin deficiencies, hypertension etc. One of the most common reasons for burning feet is neuropathy caused by diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy induced burning feet

If diabetic neuropathy has been diagnozed as the primary cause of burning feet, the diabetes which is the cause of the burning feet has to be treated. When a person suffers from diabetes, he/she should be careful with their sugar levels and keep their diabetes under control. If not controlled, diabetes could leave to nerve damage or neuropathy. The many symptoms associated with neuropathy are numbness, pins and needles, burning sensation etc.

The first object of the doctor’s treatment will be to bring the diabetes under control to stop further nerve damage. Numbness and burning feet are just the first stages of nerve damage. If left untreated, it could lead to permanent nerve damage.

Reasons why diabetics are more prone to neuropathy

Though high sugar levels can be the cause of diabetic neuropathy, other factors can hasten it. These factors include substance abuse, kidney disease, vitamin deficiency, hypothyroidism etc. Any of these could increase the chances of a diabetic getting neuropathy. So, it is important for diabetics to not only take care of the sugar levels but also take holistic care of their bodies.

Symptomatic treatment of burning feet

There are quite a few over the counter oral medication and topical creams to help deal with burning feet. But if you are a diabetic and your burning feet is due to diabetic neuropathy, it would be better to seek the advice of a doctor before taking any medication. The doctor will be able to prescribe medication for your burning feet which will not interfere with your ongoing treatment of diabetes. These medications should help relieve the pain of burning feet.

Holistic treatment of burning feet

Burning feet are the symptoms of a more dangerous cause like diabetes. So to treat burning feet, the underlying cause which is diabetes should be treated. One of the first things a person should do if they suffer from burning feet, is to get themselves checked for diabetes. If diabetes is ruled out, other tests can be done to ascertain the underlying problem. If the cause is diabetes, then see a doctor to find out how high your sugar levels are and what kind of treatment is needed.

If your sugar levels are not very high, your doctor may put you on a diet regimen to control the diabetes. If your diabetes is more advanced you may have to start taking medication for it. Whether you have burning feet or not, if you are a diabetic, you should visit a podiatrist regularly because diabetics are prone to a number of foot problems. Diabetics can get numbness of the feet which means that if your feet get injured, you may not realize it. There are many products to help people with diabetic neuropathy protect their feet. 

By taking certain protective measures, you can safeguard your feet against the side effects of diabetic neuropathy.

Solutions to prevent bunion

What are bunions?

Bunions are called hallux abducto valgus in medical terms. They are an enlargement and a deviation of the large toe which could be accompanied by swelling and lesions. Bunions occur due to a variety of reasons. They could be hereditary. They could be caused by wearing ill fitting, uncomfortable shoes for long periods of time. When ill fitting shoes are worn there is friction between the shoe and the large toe which leads to bunions. The toe is pushed inwards at the end causing the knuckle of the toes to seemingly protrude out giving a triangular shape to that part of the foot. In severe cases the inward deviation of the big toe could be so severe that it actually goes over or under the second toe.

Symptoms of bunions

The signs and symptoms of a bunion include swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint, persistent or intermittent pain, a large protrusion on the side or base of your large toes and appearance of corns and calluses on the big toe. Thickening of the skin at the base of the big toe and restriction of the movement of your big toe accompanied by intense pain are other symptoms. If the bunion has been forming for a while, the patient could be in so much pain that even walking could get difficult.

Bunion Prevention

Bunions form over a long period of time. Even for people who have protruding knuckles, the formation of a bunion can be prevented by wearing shoes that can accommodate the protrusion. When people who already have protruding knuckles wear close fitting shoes, the friction will be more and the formation of bunions will be swifter. Taking care of the feet during childhood and the teenage years can help control the formation of bunions for a long time.

Simple foot exercises can strengthen your feet and help you avoid bunions. Wear shoes that fit properly and that do not cramp or pinch your toes. Wearing high heels or pointed toes should be kept to an absolute minimum or not at all.

Treatment of bunions

If you already suffer from bunions, here are a couple of things that you can do to help lessen the pain.

• Wear comfortable shoes that have enough toe space
• Open toes sandals which are not constricting is a good idea, at least till the swelling and pain of the bunion comes down.
• Wear socks if you have to wear shoes, so that there is less friction between the toe and the shoe.
• Have a warm foot soak with Epsom salts and moisturize your feet regularly to keep it soft and to prevent chaffing.
• If you have to wear closed shoes to work, take them off and air your feet a couple of times a day.

Surgical Options for bunions

If you are suffering from a severe case of bunions and are in a lot of pain, the podiatrist may suggest a surgical procedure to remove the bunion. Most foot doctors use surgery only as the last measure. They will try to help you cope with the symptoms of bunions with preventive care and oral and topical treatments as much as they can. Only in rare cases do podiatrists consider surgery.

As in most cases, prevention is better than cure. If you do have a history of bunions, then you should take care to wear footwear that does not aggravate the bunion. If you see any symptoms related to bunions, see a doctor immediately. The faster it is detected, the swifter the treatment would be.

The Effects of Diabetic Neuropathy on the Foot

Understanding diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a common side effect for diabetics. Diabetics are prone to a number of nerve disorders. If left untreated or ignored, diabetes could lead to nerve damage on any part of the body. The common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling etc. This can occur in the extremities and they can also occur in any of the organs. Some diabetics who have nerve damage may not even show any symptoms.

Causes of diabetic neuropathy

Almost sixty to seventy percent of diabetics suffer from some kind of diabetic neuropathy. The risk of neuropathy rises as a diabetic gets older. Diabetics have to be very careful with their diet, exercise and medication. People who are not following any kind of treatment to control diabetes are more prone to diabetic neuropathy.

Inflammation of the nerves due to autoimmunity raises the risk of neuropathy. Injuries that occur to the extremities like carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures etc can lead to diabetic neuropathy in that area. Some people are plain unlucky and may have inherited this gene from their ancestors. Obesity and substance abuse can also be a cause in developing this disease.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy

The type of neuropathy a person has dictates which part of the body is affected. The severity of the neuropathy also differs from person to person. Extremities are usually the most common part of the body to get affected. If a person develops diabetic neuropathy of the feet, it means that the nerve endings in the feet are damaged.

Dealing with diabetic neuropathy of the foot

When a diabetic develops neuropathy of the foot it can be extremely dangerous. There are quite a few signs that one should be aware of when you are a diabetic. Burning or shooting pain, tingling, deformities etc are just some of the symptoms to watch out for. One of the symptoms of neuropathy is numbness. So, a person suffering from diabetic neuropathy of the foot will be unable to feel pain. If there is an injury to the foot, it may go unnoticed for a while, leading to other complications.

Individuals with diabetic neuropathy of the feet should make sure that their feet are protected at all times. A regular check up with a podiatrist is recommended. Even something as simple as an ingrown toe nail or a corn could give rise to more severe problems.

Treating diabetic neuropathy of the foot

Prevention is better than a cure! If you are a diabetic and suffer from neuropathy of the feet, ensure that you wear comfortable footwear always. Shoe bites could go unnoticed due to numbness. Wear socks to prevent chaffing of the feet. Pamper your feet with a warm soak once a week. Moisturizing your feet prevents dry skin. Dry skin can cause chaffing, leading to wounds that can get infected. 

It is a good idea to air your feet every few hours to prevent bacteria from attacking your feet. Closed shoes can make your feet sweat. The humidity caused by wearing closed footwear is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Powdering your feet with anti fungal powder in the morning and evening will also help prevent bacteria from attacking your feet. By taking these simple preventive measures, you are safeguarding your feet from infections.

If you notice any kind of wound, tear or discolorations of the foot see a podiatrist immediately. You may need a course of ant biotic treatment to treat the problem and to prevent further complications. There are many foot products available in the market to help treat diabetic neuropathy of the foot.

Which shoes are the worst for your feet?

Footwear and its effect on your body

We spend most of the day on our feet. We walk, run, climb, stand for long periods of time and generally abuse our feet a lot. To make matters worse, we use the wrong type of footwear and add to the strain that we put on our feet. Ill fitting footwear not only puts stress on the feet, but it strains the back too. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of footwear and its effect on our feet.

Stilettos or high heels

This is by far the worst offender. The foot is in an abnormal angle and this strains your feet and your back, as the body tries to keep its equilibrium. Any kind of high heeled shoes is not good for your feet and back. Stilettos are especially bad as the chances of twisting your foot and getting an ankle sprain or a hairline fracture is a possibility. Most women prefer stilettos when they go to work, as it gives them more height. If you wear stilettos on a regular basis, try to rest your feet when you are at your table, by taking off the shoes and doing some simple foot exercises. There are insoles available that can be fitted to the stilettos to make it a bit more comfortable. Some common problems that arise when using stilettos are Achilles tendon and stress fractures.

Flip Flops

Surprisingly, flip flops which one would think is one of the most comfortable types of footwear ranks high among foot offenders. People tend to wear flip flops all the time, whether at home or going out. The reason why flip flops are not the right choice of footwear for regular use is that they don’t have an arch support.

They are also open footwear and the chances of hurting your foot are high. You could develop chronic foot problems like tendonitis or plantar fasciitis.

Pumps

If your pumps are high heeled, the same injuries that occur with stilettos could happen. But high heeled pumps are worse than open toed stilettos as the whole foot is bearing down on the pointed end of the pump. Neuromas, which are inflammations between the toes, can occur along with other problems like hammer toes. The pain of a neuroma could be quite severe and you may need physical therapy or even surgery to remove it. 

Ballet shoes

You would think ballet shoes would be a good choice, but like flip flops they do not offer any support for the arch and unlike flip flops they don’t have cushioning under the feet. So you could develop corns and calluses. Wearing closed ballet shoes could also give rise to bacteria and foot infections because the enclosed shoes keep the foot humid. Some ways to prevent problems when using ballet shoes are by inserting gel supports that can give your arch support and cushion your foot. Airing your feet once in a while and using fungal powder in the morning and night should prevent bacterial build up.

Almost all kinds of shoes do affect the feet in some way. But the fact is, walking barefoot isn’t that great for your feet either. These small pieces of our body support our whole weight, help us maintain balance and are probably one of the most neglected parts of our body. So, there is really no perfect shoe for the foot. The best thing to do is find a shoe that you are comfortable in and use some kind of orthotic help to make sure that you are giving your foot optimum care.