Proper shoe fit to reduce foot pain

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

proper shoe fit to reduce foot pain

Having a proper shoe fit is important to reducing foot pain.  Improper fitting shoes can cause many foot issues including, calluses, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. Also having the proper type of shoe is important to optimal sports performance, avoiding injuries which include foot and ankle injuries and slip and falls. Here are 10 tips to finding a proper shoe fit to reduce foot pain.

  1. Have your feet measured regularly – Your feet’s size and shape change over time and the size of shoe that fit you 10 years ago, may not fit you today.
  2. Check your foot size for both feet – Sometimes one of your feet may be bigger than the other, so you will want to make sure your shoes are made to fit the larger foot.
  3. Measure your feet later in the day – Throughout the day your feet may swell and settle, so you will want to measure them at this time to optimize foot comfort.
  4. Check the shoe brand – Some shoe brands, even though they are listed with the same size will fit differently from each other.  For example a 10.5 sized shoe might fit like a 10 in another brand.
  5. Check your foot width – Many shoes that you buy may only list the size length. This doesn’t mean the shoe width is fit for you.  This is another reason to check the shoe fit by brand as some brands have wider shoes than others. The ball of your foot is the widest portion of your feet and should fit comfortably in the widest portion of the shoe.
  6. Check for space at end of shoe – Shoes should have about a finger width distance between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
  7. Try both shoes on and test them in the activities you will be using them for – A lot of people just try on one shoe and think the other shoe will fit the same.  Try both shoes on at the same time, and simulate the activities you will be using them for to make sure they aren’t rubbing or slipping.
  8. Don’t plan on the shoes to stretch – If the shoe is uncomfortable when trying them on, don’t assume that they will get better.
  9. Consider orthotics – even if the shoe fits your foot well, it may not provide all the foot support you need. A podiatrist can help you get a proper orthotic fitting that can be used in your shoe.
  10. Choose the right shoe for the job – Shoe design is designed to support the activity you are doing and be prepared to replace them when you notice visible wear.  The shoe is designed to break down, so that your foot doesn’t. It should be treated like the tires on the car and replaced when they are no longer doing the job well.

Downtown Physical Therapy can treat many foot pain related conditions. Contact our office at 602-833-6677 to learn more about proper shoe fit to reduce foot pain.