In 2015 a University of A Coruña research team conducted a study to determine whether elderly people made wrong footwear choices due to the changes in their foot morphology. In their study 83% of the subjects did not choose the correct size and should have been wearing a different size for each foot. The mean age of the subjects was 80 years old.

Daniel López López, a scientist at the University of A Coruña who led this study, stated: “In this stage of life, there are changes in foot morphology involving increased width and length, as well as changes in pain tolerance linked to age, and the loss of muscle mass and fatty tissue in the feet.” Their results demonstrate that elderly people who use the wrong shoes have a lower quality of life in all areas related to pain, foot function, footwear, food health, general health, physical activity, social capacity and vitality.

Foot problems have increased in prevalence in elderly people and it’s becoming worrisome. Chronic diseases such as obesity, vascular diseases, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis have increased foot problems by 71 to 87%. The most common disorders are foot bone deformities, bunions, toenail malformations, plantar keratosis and flat feet. These often lead to infections, pain, difficulty walking, anxiety, apathy and loss of balance leading to more falls. These all negatively impact health, independence and well-being.

As people age there are many changes in foot morphology but most people don’t change their shoe size to accommodate these changes. Elderly people should recheck their shoe size periodically and also select proper footwear including wide-fit shoes with velcro or straps, rubber soles to prevent slipping and falling and those that reduce the impact on joints when walking.

The post The Best Shoes for the Elderly appeared first on .

Buying good, comfortable shoes will reduce or eliminate foot pain and also prevent future problems from developing. Good shoes can also reduce the stress on your knees, hips and back and also improve your posture. Shoes should support your entire foot while having enough room for all of your toes without being squeezed. Shoes should be the correct length and width for your foot and accommodate the type of arch you have. A Pedorthist can help you determine the best shoes for your foot and health.

You might also want to take closer look at your current inventory of shoes and replace some of the poorly fitting ones. Try them on and anything that is tight, pinches or causes pain get rid of those.Start with your own feet, and look at what’s already in your closet. Stand barefoot on a piece of paper or cardboard, and trace the shape of each foot. Now place your shoes over the outline to determine whether the shoes are too narrow.

Now that you are ready to go shopping for some new comfortable shoes, here are some tips:

1.Find shoes that fit from the start. Don’t rationalize that the shoes just need to be “broken in” or that they’ll stretch with time..

2.) Walk around in the shoes to determine how they feel. Is there enough room at the balls of the feet? Do the heels fit snugly, or do they pinch or slip off?

3. Stand in the shoes. Make sure you have at least a quarter- to a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

4. Feet naturally expand with use during the day and may swell in hot weather so shop in the late afternoon for shoes

5. Wear the same type of socks that you intend to wear with the shoes.

6. Get both feet measured every time you buy new shoes. If one foot is larger or wider than the other, buy a size that fits the larger foot.

7. Go with the way the shoe fits rather than the size on the box.

8.Feel the inside of the shoes to see if they have any tags, seams, or other material that might irritate your feet or cause blisters

9. Don’t forget to examine the soles. Make sure they are sturdy enough to provide protection from sharp objects? Also, take the sole test as you walk around the shoe store: do the soles cushion against impact? Try to walk on hard surfaces as well as carpet to see how the shoes feel.

The post How to Buy Healthy, Comfortable Shoes appeared first on .

Shoes, shoes shoes. They are the fetish and obsession of many women. The shoes we wear are actually central to our everyday health. Poorly designed shoes, or footwear that doesn’t fit properly, can cause a number of short and long-term health problems that affect various parts of our bodies The three main functions of shoes are to protect our feet, enable us to walk wherever we want and provide comfort when we are on our feet for long periods of time. Correctly fitting footwear should have little or no negative impact on our health. Unfortunately, many of the popular and most sought after styles are also some of the worst for your feet. The ones that are good for you feet are usually overlooked for more stylish pairs.

Here are some of the worst culprits. See how many of these you have in your closet and what price you are paying or will have to pay to wear them.

Flip Flops

Cheap and cute but one of the worst shoe designs out there. Among the most common flip-flop injuries is plantar faciitis, which is an inflammation of the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot. This acute pain can become a chronic problem over time.Walking in flip flops encourages an unnatural gait which can lead to pain in the feet, legs and lower back. The openness of the shoe can also lead to contracting bacterial infections. A 2009 report from the TODAY show and the University of Miami found that flip flops were home to more than 18,000 types of bacteria, including Staphyloccus aureus and even bacteria from fecal matter

Ballet Flats

Many people think that wearing flats avoids having foot issues but that isn’t true. Ballet flats may feel comfortable but they are lacking any arch support for your foot which could ultimately lead to foot pain issues. Ballet flats also have very little padding in the insole, which means they are essentially like wearing a very thick sock,

Sheepskin Boots

Slipper-type boots with the sheepskin lining, like Uggs, are stylish and popular for their comfort but they can present several threats to foot health. Because they are so comfortable many people wear them all day which isn’t what they are meant for. They are meant to be a lounging shoe so do not have the proper support necessary for doing lots of walking or standing. In addition many people wear them without socks which could lead to a build-up of fungus in the humid environment.

Slides

Slides don’t offer the foot very much support and there is nothing attaching them to the back of your foot. They pose the risk of instability or missteps leading to possible foot injury. Adding any heel increases the possibility of ankle injuries.

High Heel Stiletto Mules/Shoes

Ultra-high heels can lead to everything from ankle sprains to chronic pain. Ultra-high heels force the feet into a position that puts stress on the ball of the foot which can inflame the surrounding bones or nerves. Chronic stress to the foot bones can even lead to hairline fractures. Mules are even worse because they don’t offer any support to the heel and it could literally slide off the shoe.

Pointy Shoes

They might be stylish, but shoes with pointy toes squeeze the entire front of your foot together which over time can lead to nerve pain, bunions, blisters, and hammertoes. Some women even develop bruises under their toenails from the constant pressure. You can avoid the pointy toe issues by selecting boxier shoes. If that style doesn’t appeal to you at least look for shoes that slope to a point beyond the edge of your toes

Platform Shoes

The issue with platform shoes and wedges is that they tend to have rigid foot beds which throws off the biomechanics of walking. The rigidness will fight against your foot while walking and change your gait.

Tips for Choosing Healthy Shoes

Always choose a chunkier heel over a skinnier one for more stability 

Choose shoes with more room in the toe area and preferably round or boxy styles

Select shoes that have straps or material to secure the shoe to your foot

Select shoes with sufficient arch support built into the shoe or wear an orthotic insert

The post The Unhealthiest Shoe Styles appeared first on .