Your footwear speaks a thousand words about your personality. As the saying goes, you can always assess a gentleman (or a lady) by the shoes.
People keep a track of the latest fad in the footwear world. While they constantly obsess over ‘style’, they are not aware of the implications of wearing the wrong kind of shoes. If the shoes you wear don’t take proper care of your feet, then you will feel discomfort and in the worst case scenario, this might lead to a deformity.
How damaging can your footwear be?
1. Ankle sprain: The most common effect of high-heeled footwear is ankle sprain. A severe sprain may tear the ligaments and even aggravate the risk of developing Osteoarthritis. The greater the height of the heels, the more is the tendency to trip and sprain the ankle.
2. Heel pain: High heeled footwear cause a painful knot at the back of the heel. The rigid material presses on the bony deformity. This might lead to blisters, swelling, bursitis or pain in the Achilles tendon.
3. Foot stress: Wearing too high heels also puts stress on the ball of the foot. Too much of pressure on the metatarsal bones, sesamoid bones and the toe bones inflame them and the nerves that surround them.
4. Hairline fracture: Continued or chronic stress to the foot bones can even lead to hairline fractures.
5. Body pain: Footwear that does not give arch support increases the tendency of suffering from knee, hip and back problems.
6. Injury to the Plantar Fascia: Poor arch support can overstretch, tear or inflame the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot. This would cause intense heel pain and make it difficult to move around.
7. Risk of injury: Footwear like flip-flops keep the foot exposed, thus increasing the risk of getting foot injuries and splinters. Many flip-flops provide no arch support which may cause knee, hip and back problems.
8. Blisters and pain: Pointy shoes, although stylish might not be a healthy option for your feet. They squeeze the entire front of the foot together. After some time, this may cause nerve pain or blisters. Constant pressure might lead to bruises under the toenails.
9. Bunions: Another adverse effect of wearing improper footwear for a long period of time is the formation of bunions. A bunion is a painful lump at the base of the big toe, as a result of displacement of the tissue or bone at the base joint. Shoes that keep the toes tightly together or crowded can cause other problems like corns and calluses as well.
10. Hammertoes: Ill-fitting, tight or pointy shoes can also cause hammertoes. Hammertoe is a condition where the toe bends or curls downward instead of pointing forward. It occurs when the middle joint of the toe is dislocated. It causes difficulty in walking, causing pain when you try to move the affected toe or those around it.
Choosing the right shoes
1. Get the right size: The primary step is to buy shoes that are of the right size. Ill-fitting shoes are the main cause behind majority of the problems concerning your feet.
2. Avoid high heels: The lower the heels, the more natural would be the position of your feet while walking. This will reduce the pressure on your joints. It is recommended to wear heels that are lesser than 2 inches.
3. Keep surface area in mind : Wear footwear which has more surface area. This distributes the body weight more evenly and prevents tripping down or suffering from a sprain.
4. Try pads: Orthotics or heel pads can be used to reduce heel pain and provide more arch support as well as reduce pressure.
5. Choose thick soles: Walking in flimsy shoes on uneven ground can hurt the sole of your feet. A thick sole would keep the feet away from the ground and debris.
6. Stay away from pointy shoes: Avoid shoes that are too pointy and tight at the front of your feet. You can opt for shoes that are pointy beyond the edge of your toes. Make sure they don’t pinch the tips and sides of the toes.
7. Opt for softer material: Wear shoes that are made of softer material. The shoes or soles that are made of stiff material prevent the feet from bending.
Dr. Shabtab Khalid
Note: Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution, through the synergistic combination
of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed AdvancedPhysiotherapy aims to eradicate problems like joint pain, inflammation,
swelling, muscle spasm and stiffness. The protocol is at once scientific,
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