SELECTING THE RIGHT SHOE

 Shoes are surprisingly important to our health and well-being. Trauma to the foot or ankle is a common, everyday occurrence, with many of these events taking place in the home. Shoes are vital to supporting the arch and encouraging proper foot mechanics, which allow the foot, leg, and spine to function well.

Finding healthy shoes can be challenging for those of us who don’t have an average foot. Proper body mechanics is what shoes should be designed for. A shoe with a rubber outsole functions well, allowing for good traction and proper gripping of the surface. The best midsole material is generally EVA, an effective material for absorbing the impact of each and every step. The stability of a shoe is critical for many foot types. This is lacking in many shoe models. An unstable, poorly supportive shoe makes overuse injuries more common. EVA can successfully provide stability if of sufficient density.

A removable arch support can be added to many shoes, potentially making the shoe more stable and supportive depending on the device used. Those of us with a fairly normal foot type can prevent problems with use of a generic, over-the-counter insole, while people with foot pain or less “average” feet may need a prescription support.

The outline of your foot must match that of the shoe, which is another variable in the process of selecting a shoe. Stepping on the insole after removing it from the shoe can provide some information on this. The outline of your foot should match fairly closely that of the shoe’s insole.

It is an understatement to say shoes vary greatly in every aspect of their size, shape, and construction. Every time you purchase foot gear, these and other characteristics need to be evaluated. As a board certified podiatrist, Dr. McLean of Superior Foot and Ankles is trained to evaluate shoe gear. Call our office to get evaluated for the shoe which will work best for you.