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neuropathy newsletter |
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 Aetrex: Lenex Performance Walker |
Do Your Feet Hurt, Ache and Burn? Proper Shoes Can Help! January 2007 34 years ago while doing my podiatry residency, I was asked by my professor to help diagnosis and a treat a patient who was experiencing severe foot pain. Wanting to impress my teacher, I suggested every exotic foot ailment that I could think of. My professor then pulled out a shoe measuring device and told the patient that he was wearing a shoe that was two sizes too small. The next week the patient came back for a follow up visit and stated, "Doc, you are a miracle worker; my feet feel better than they have in years!" That experience has always stayed with me, and I realized early in my career that proper shoe selection can help alleviate many foot aches and pains. Choosing the wrong shoe can do the opposite—causing a multitude of problems, including pains in the balls of the feet, heel pain, shin splints, corns, calluses and even knee and back pain. I always recommend that my patients have a few sensible pair of shoes on hand such as good walking shoes, tennis shoes or cross trainers. It is always important to make sure that a new shoe fits properly. There should be enough room at the end of the shoe to allow for toe movement—about ½ inch. It is recommended that the shoe be constructed with a leather upper. Artificial materials "do not breathe" and can lead to excessive heat build-up causing athlete’s foot and blisters. Fashionable shoes with a higher heel can certainly be worn as long they are alternated with more sensible shoes. Crocs, the super lightweight shoe/sandal, has a very definite place in a shoe wardrobe. Crocs footwear provides excellent support and is a good choice to wear as an alternative shoe, especially around the house or when doing certain activities. |
