Feet are often overlooked when it comes to your physical health, but they go through a lot. Your feet are your primary vehicle for getting around, which means taking good care of them will ensure their long-term health. However, most people don’t think about how they are harming their feet. Below you will find the top shoe mistakes for foot problems and what you can do to fix them!
Most Common Shoe Mistakes for Foot Problems
You may not even know what you are doing wrong when it comes to caring for your feet. However, there are a lot of mistakes that can be made when it comes to your shoes.
Shoe Size:
The size and shape of your feet can change over time. While you may have been a size 8 in high school, your feet may have changed since then. Feet can often get longer and wider as time passes. This is especially true for women who have been pregnant. In addition, weight fluctuations or even having medical issues, such as bunions or hammertoe, can change the anatomy of your foot. Be sure and get your feet properly measured to ensure you are wearing the right size shoe.
Improper Shoes:
There is a time and a place for most pairs of shoes. However, if you are walking a lot throughout the day, you likely shouldn’t be in anything other than comfortable, supportive shoes. In times where you are walking a lot, flip flops, heels, or platforms are not going to cut it. You’ll risk injury and long-term foot problems if you continue. Wear shoes that are appropriate for the activity you are doing.
Priorities:
If you choose your shoes based on how cute or fashionable they are, you are not doing your feet justice. Fashion is fun, and everyone wants to look nice, but you have to have shoes that are also appropriate, supportive, and comfortable. Focus on arch support, getting the right fit, and avoiding shoes like stilettos or platforms.
Retire Your Shoes:
As much as you love your shoes, they will all need to retire at some point. While shoes wear out at different paces depending on how often you wear them. However, the bottom of your shoes and the inner soles will wear out, and either need to be taken care of, or your shoes will need to be replaced. If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, you may need to replace them after a year.
Treatment for Shoes-Related Foot Issues
Often, shoe mistakes can lead to issues such as hammertoe. Hammertoe is a common foot deformity caused by an imbalance of the muscles that control your toe movement. This causes your toes to bend into unnatural positions at one or more of your joints. Hammertoe requires treatments, which can include padding, strapping, and even wider shoes. However, if the toe deformity is severe, it can require hammertoe Camarillo surgery. While surgery may seem intimidating, it is an outpatient procedure that allows you to walk out the same day. You’ll likely need a walking boot. But the recovery is fast and you should be on your way back to full health fairly quickly.
Podiatrist Camarillo
If you have issues with your feet and want some professional help, contact Foot & Ankle Concepts, Inc. They have several locations all over California, including Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Camarillo, Palmdale, and Westlake. They are skilled at treating foot and ankle issues, including treatment for issues such as hammertoe. Contact Podiatrist Camarillo today for an appointment!
