Podiatrists talk a lot about the importance of proper footwear. There’s a good reason for this: Depending on the shoes, they can give your feet great support and keep them comfortable, or they can cause pain and problems.
In this blog, Kerry E. Berg, DPM, of Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates explains more about the link between footwear and heel pain
Heel pain can have many causes, including stress fractures, tendonitis, arthritis, or even a cyst. However, one of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia — which is the thick band of tissue that stretches from your heel to your toes — becomes inflamed.
Very often, this condition is caused by a combination of overuse and poor footwear choices. If you have heel pain, you should make an appointment with Dr. Berg, so she can evaluate the cause of your pain.
Certain types of footwear are more likely than others to cause heel pain. In general, you should avoid shoes that have poor arch support or put too much pressure on your feet, such as the following:
In addition, if you kick off your shoes as soon as you get home in favor of going barefoot, this habit can also increase your heel pain due to the lack of arch support. It may seem difficult at first to get used to wearing supportive shoes even at home, but doing so may be enough to resolve your heel pain.
When selecting shoes, here are some things to keep in mind so you can get a great pair:
If you don’t know where to begin, your best bet is to go to a store that sells athletic shoes and have your feet measured by a professional.
You need to know whether you have high arches or flat arches, so you can get shoes that are specifically designed to accommodate your situation.
Many people are unaware of this, but shoe sizes can change if you gain or lose weight.
Most shoes wear out in a few months to a year if worn regularly. You can tell if your shoes are worn out by putting your shoes on a table top and seeing if the soles are even. If they’re warped in any way, they may no longer support your feet well.
It’s important to listen to what your feet are saying when you wear your shoes. Even if the shoes are perfectly usable, it’s not worth wearing them if they consistently make your feet hurt.
If you have heel pain, Dr. Berg can put you on the path to good health. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Intermountain Foot & Ankle Associates today.
