Cincy Chic - Defeat Foot Problems before They Start

Defeat Foot Problems before They Start

Written by Linda Palacios, on 24-06-2009 08:57

Defeat Foot Problems before They Start
Those Manolo Blahnik pointed-toe patent pumps are doing wonders for your outfit, but what are they doing to your feet? A local doc explains what you need to consider before you pick your next pair.

For women, putting their best foot forward often means sacrificing comfort as they adorn their digits with chic shoes. Unfortunately, those same shoes that help you to exude confidence and maintain fashionable satisfaction also can lead you down the path toward bunions and digital deformities. "Women's fashionable shoes are generally less functional [than men's shoes], often leading to bone and soft tissue problems and/or deformities," says Dr. Brad Wenstrup, podiatrist at Wellington Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine.

Taking care of your feet means more than just having a pedicure every couple weeks. It means keeping the safety of your feet in mind on a daily basis, and it all comes down to the shoes you choose. "Shoes have a tremendous influence on foot function and biomechanics," Wenstrup says. "Unfortunately, women often have to sacrifice fashion over function."

However, while your work calls for a more appropriate and more formal shoe than the supportive sneakers you wear to the gym, you don't have to give up all hope when it comes to the safety of your feet in the workplace. "There are many stores that specialize in properly fitting shoes," Wenstrup says. "The best fitting shoe has proper support, stability in the heel and an adequate toe box."

As the name suggests, the toe box is the part of the shoe that provides space, coverage and protection for the toes. An adequate toe box provides enough space for all of your toes to fit comfortably. Keep this in mind on your next trip to the shoe department. For your existing shoes, you should see if a pedorthist can better fit them to your feet by stretching the toe box a little, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.

Beyond the workplace, your shoes should fit the occasion (as every fashionista knows), Wenstrup says. So when you go running, make sure that you're sporting your running shoes. "Avoid flip flops," Wenstrup says.

Disregarding your feet's safety needs can lead to painful effects in the short term and the long term. Short term effects range anywhere from acute injuries and ankle strains to plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains, Wenstrup says. Plantar fasciitis often results from a lack of support to the arches of the foot, which is one reason to leave your flip flops at the beach. Long term effects include arthritis, chronic tendonitis and bone spur formation, Wenstrup says.

To help ensure that you are keeping your feet healthy and injury-free, consult a podiatrist for an individual evaluation and recommendations on preventing problems. To make an appointment with Wenstrup, call (513) 232-2663.

Linda Palacios
		About the author:
		Linda Palacios, an East-side native, is the editor of Cincy Chic. Send her an e-mail at lpalacios@cincychic.com.
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