Inappropriate footwear often leads to a wide range of problems
Inappropriate footwear often leads to a wide range of problems
Hyderabad: Everyone loves to wear fashionable shoes. It raises your self-esteem and also defines your attitude. While stilettos, high heels, peep toes, narrow and tight fitting shoes are on everyone’s must-have list, there is a grim downside as inappropriate footwear often leads to a wide range of problems.
Managing body weight is a problem with high heels and higher is the risk of falling, tripping and also spraining your feet. Choosing the right shoe is important as those who suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic foot and unnatural position of foot must choose the right footwear to ensure that their condition does not aggravate.
Even normal people should mostly opt for platform shoes, ballet shoes, flip-flops and other flats as it is best for managing one’s weight and also ensuring that the foot is in a good condition.
Foot notes: Take care of your feet by cutting your nails, submerging feet in lukewarm water with salt, shampoo and anti-septic lotion for 15 minutes. After the feet are properly soaked, clean them with a scrubber, dry and apply moisturiser.
‘Dancing in high heels leads to fatal falls’:
High heels with narrow toe boxes cause the front of the feet to be squashed resulting in undue pressure on the front. People who wear high heels also experience pain in their calf muscles. They also develop deviating toes wherein the second toe gets deformed as it is squashed.
Dr Srikanth Gollamudi, orthopaedic surgeon, Kims, said, “We often have young women who while dancing at discos and pubs lose their balance due to high heels. They usually sustain fractures around the ankle joint.”
The best shoes are those with small heels and wide toe boxes which lets the feet remain healthy.
‘Keep the heels to two inches’:
Shorter heels help avoid problems with the bones and also have more surface area which helps to distribute the weight evenly. Shoes must be wide as the toes must get place to breathe and must not be pinched as it makes the wearer uncomfortable.
Dr T. Dasaradha Rama Reddy, senior orthopedic surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, said, “The shoes must bend at the toe box as it ensures that the feet are in a comfortable position. There must be sufficient space in the shoes for the arch support as it ensures that there is a wide space for the feet to manage itself on an uneven road. The heel must not be more than two inches. This will ensure that there is no damage to the bones, ligaments, ball of the foot and also the knee.”
Most patients are recommended a change of footwear as doctors find that it is leading to frequent falls, slipping or tripping. Those who have problems of sweaty feet must ensure that their foot is dry when they wear shoes or slippers.
The right care:
Do not cut calluses or corns with a razor or sharp tool.
Use a ring-shaped pad that fits over a corn to decrease pressure and friction.
Place cotton between the toes to cushion any corns in these areas.
If you have numbness in your feet, use warm water to wash but always check the temperature with your hand first.
Avoid heating pads as they will burn your feet.
Do not sit cross-legged if your blood circulation is poor as it will restrict the flow of blood.
Obese people must opt for flat footwear with open toes or a deep toe box.
Obese people also must wear thick socks to absorb pressure but not tight socks or stockings.
( Source : dc )
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