Article: Do My Feet Hurt?
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Most Americans will have walked 75,000 miles by the time they reach the age of 50 – the equivalent of trekking around the Earth on the equator three times.
But all this walking results in significant wear and tear on our feet.
The most obvious sign your foot is aging is its changing size and shape. Over time, the body’s ligaments and
tendons lose their strength and ability to spring back. In feet, this manifests as a decrease or “falling’’ of the arch, which flattens and lengthens the foot and toes. The result: often an increase in shoe size by a half-size or more.
Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that foot size can change, so they buy the same size shoe year after year without stopping to ask, “Do my feet hurt when I put these on?” Shoes with a narrow toe box – and of course, high heels -- can also become more difficult to wear. So wearing well-fitting and more ‘sensible’ shoes, at least most of the time, will be much more comfortable.
Shifts in foot shape can also cause bunions, a bony protrusion on the side of the big toe that grows as the toe drifts out of position. Hammertoe, a condition that frequently accompanies bunions, is when a toe – most frequently the second toe -- is pulled back and upward in relation to the other toes.
Bunions are more common among women (more than 30 percent overall suffer from them) because of their shoe-wearing habits, but men suffer from them as well. Family history often plays a role.
Arthritis is another reality for the aging foot. Osteoarthritis can develop after years of general wear-and-tear and stress or injury to the joints. There are a number of steps one can take to lessen foot pain or mitigate the effects of deteriorating ligaments, arthritis and other foot issues.
Consider custom footbeds. Custom footbeds or shoe inserts can support falling arches and increase comfort. Custom footbeds offer support and padding for the feet, which is especially helpful for those who must stand for long periods of time or who participate in activities that put extra pressure on their feet.
Don’t minimize or ignore foot pain. Many people live with foot pain or do not seek proper fitting shoes or footbeds until the discomfort is too great for them to endure. Foot pain is never normal.
Remember we make your feet comfortable at Tops Shoes. Stop by and see one of our fit professionals and have a digital foot scan. Have both your feet measured by our comfort specialists. Take a stroll and allow us to do a gait analysis. All of this information can then be used to suggest shoes that are made for your foot type. We can also discuss the importance of insoles and socks.
Come see us today. We make your feet comfortable.
