The importance of correctly fitted shoes cannot be understated. There are many common foot problems that can be exacerbated by poorly fitting footwear. Feet are incredible things, with 42 muscles, 33 joints, 50 ligaments and tendons and 26 bones. They put up with a great deal of force and stress so it’s vital we protect them well. Here we look at some of the most common complaints that affect our feet:
- Hammertoes
This happens when either the second, third or fourth toes become crossed over or bent at the toe joint. The condition is often caused by badly fitting shoes. Hammertoes can be helped if spotted early on by inserting foot pads to help reposition the toes but if left, the toes can become fixed in this position. If you suspect your shoes are causing pain and bending of your toes then you need to have your feet measured properly and get some correctly fitted footwear. For a Shoe Shop Gloucester, visit http://www.cottersbarshoes.co.uk/
- Blisters
Blisters are another painful and inconvenient result of poorly fitting footwear. They occur when there is too much rubbing, movement and friction being caused between your skin and the shoe. The fluid-filled sacs can be very painful and make it difficult to walk.
- Bunions
These occur when the big toe joint begins to protrude at the base of the toe, which in turn forces the big toe to turn inwards. Bunions can be hereditary or caused by arthritis, congenital defects or the result of an accident to the foot. Trying to wear shoes can be very uncomfortable and shoes that are too narrow can also aid in the formation of bunions. The first step is to correct the shoe-fitting but in particularly bad cases, surgery may be necessary.
- Plantar Fasciitis
A painful problem that often makes walking difficult and uncomfortable. It occurs when the tissue connecting the ball of the foot and the heel becomes inflamed. It is a chronic condition and it’s very difficult to get enough required rest to heal it. The pain is worse first thing in the morning when you put your foot on the floor or after you’ve been seated for a while.
- Claw Toe
All the toes except the big toe begin to curl down in the middle of the joint and up again where the toe and foot meet. Additional problems that accompany claw toe include corns and calluses because of the pressure of walking on areas that have moved. Claw toes can be caused by complications related to diabetes but have also been blamed on wearing overly tight footwear.
- Ingrown Nails
This is a very common issue and is caused by the incorrect clipping of toe nails. Toenails must be clipped straight across the top and not at an angle. The corners of the nail start growing into the skin, become sore and inflamed and possibly even infected. Ingrown toenails can also be exacerbated by pressure from poorly fitted shoes or a fungal foot infection.
