Wear This Not That

At Texas Foot Specialists, we’ve said it before but we can never say it enough, “the shoes you wear have a huge impact on the health of your feet.” So often, patients come to us with foot and ankle injuries and disorders that could have been avoided by making proper shoe choices. Below are some common poor choices in footwear and what to replace them with instead.

Avoid: Sock Sneakers—although many patients love the foot and ankle comfort that the knit upper provides, there is literally no support or structure to help keep the foot in place. This style of footwear can cause ankle sprains.

Instead: Loafers—if you’re looking for a style that’s a step above a sneaker in terms of style but won’t harm your feet, try a loafer. Loafers offer more structure and support around the sides and for the top of your foot. They also are much better shock absorbers which means less pain and fatigue for your feet.

Avoid: Ankle Boots with Stiletto Heels—okay, the instability issues are obvious with this type of heel and can definitely result in falls and ankle-twisting injuries. In addition, however, the higher the heel, the more pressure gets exerted on the balls of your feet which can lead to sesamoiditis, metatarsalgia and other forefoot trouble.

Instead: Chunky Heel Ankle Boots—you should still keep the height to 2 inches or less, but the wider heel will provide greater stability and also decrease strain on your knees and lower back.

Avoid: Pointy Cowboy Boots—sorry Texans, but those pointy boots can lead to a whole host of podiatric problems from ingrown toenails and neuromas to bunions and hammertoes.

Instead: Square Toe Boots—fortunately fashion favorites at the moment, these boots give your toes plenty of space and are much better for your feet. More air circulation is available too in this style, lowering the risk for fungal infections.

Avoid: Ballet Flats—low heels are good, so no heels are better, right? Wrong! When your shoes are completely flat, it puts excessive strain on the arch of your foot and can cause heel pain.

Instead: Short-Heeled Shoes—these more properly position your foot and will ultimately feel more comfortable. They will also offer better arch support and have a decreased risk for Achilles tendon irritation.

Are your shoes hurting your feet? Make an appointment at our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600) and Houston (713-664-6677) office so that our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller or Dr. Gregory Mangum, can examine your feet. The foot doctor can recommend the best footwear styles to accommodate your unique feet.