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In The News Plantar Fasciitis Bunions and Bunionettes Do I need new shoes? Do you need custom orthotics? Diabetes Foot Care & Advice Achilles Tendonitis An Apple a Day . . . or a Piece of Bread?

Do I need new shoes? - 7/22/2008

We are asked that question almost daily. Following a few simple guidelines can help you answer your own question.

Evaluate the structure of your shoes by placing them on a hard, flat surface (table, counter top, etc.) Look at them from behind the heels. Most shoes will have a center seam in the heel. If yours doesn't, then mentally 'draw' a line up the center of the heel. Looking carefully, determine if your heels are tipping to the inside or outside - or not at all. The vast majority of us (85%) tend towards over pronation - tipping to the inside. The rest of us over supinate - tipping to the outside.
Now look at the shoe at the midfoot (arch) level. Does it bulge to the inside or outside?
Next, look at the wear pattern on the sole of the shoe. Most of will first contact at the outside corner of the heel, so wear there is normal, although it can be excessive. Next, look at the area under the 'ball' of the foot. Normal wear patterns will present under the big toe and the first and second toes. Excessive wear under the big toe indicates too much pronation- rolling or tipping to the inside. Excessive wear under the 4th and 5th toes indicates too much supination or rolling out. Lastly, have someone walk or run behind you to see if your feet seem to roll in or out too far.
- Shoes that are too worn will cause poor foot alignment and can lead to pain and dysfunction. This is especially true when you increase the number of steps you take in a day such as when you are walking or running for exercise or if your job requires a lot of walking.
One last tip - say your shoes don't show any particular wear pattern but your feet are still uncomfortable. Take the liner out of your shoe and pinch the ball of the liner between your thumb and forefinger. The cushioning effect may be gone. Most athletic type shoes have an EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) liner that can bottom out in as few as 500-700 miles, depending on your size and weight. There are good over the counter (OTC) replacement liners that are readily available at our store or other specialty shoe stores.

Next month I will discuss arch supports - both OTC and custom supports and how to determine which would benefit you.

Skip Chandler, PT, CPed
Owner