Topic Overview
Many foot problems—such as
bunions,
calluses and corns, or
hammer, claw, or mallet toes—will not become severely
painful or disabling if you wear shoes with a wide toe box that gives your toes
and the ball of your foot more room.
Try to wear shoes that:
- Have low heels. Avoid high-heeled, narrow, or
pointed-toe shoes. High-heeled shoes increase pressure on the front of the foot
and on the toe joints. If you cannot avoid wearing pumps or high-heeled shoes,
choose shoes with heels that are no more than
2 in. (5 cm) high. Alternate
wearing these with low-heeled shoes.
- Have wide and deep toe boxes
(the area that surrounds the toes). There should be about
0.5 in. (1.3 cm) of space
between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. You should be able to wiggle
your toes in your shoes.
- Are made of materials that stretch. In
some cases, it may be possible to stretch your shoes over the problem area so
that they don't put pressure on a painful area. This may help relieve or
prevent pain. Look for a shoe repair shop that stretches shoes, or ask your
doctor to recommend one. You may also want to find a shoe
manufacturer that makes special or custom shoes for people with foot
problems.
- Lace up rather than slip on. Athletic shoes are a good
choice.
- Have a rigid yet cushioned heel counter that keeps your
foot from slipping out of the shoe.
- Have a flexible sole that
allows your toes to bend as you walk.
- Allow the ball of your foot
to fit snugly into the widest part of the shoe.
- Allow your feet to
breathe when they sweat. Avoid plastic or vinyl shoes.
- Do not have seams that may rub against or irritate the skin over
your problem joint.
At home, wear sandals or soft-leather flat shoes or slippers. Or buy
an inexpensive pair of cloth shoes and cut a hole over the affected joint.
Go barefoot as much as possible (or just wear a sock) unless you have
diseases such as
diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, or
peripheral arterial disease. People who have these and
other diseases and have limited or no sensation in their feet are encouraged
not to go barefoot, because unnoticed injuries to their feet are more likely to
become infected.
Credits
|
Author
|
Judy Dundas |
|
Editor
|
Maria Essig |
|
Associate Editor
|
Pat Truman, MATC |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Barry L. Scurran, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery |
|
Last Updated
|
February 4, 2010 |
