PT Classroom - The Essentials of Proper Footwear ׀ by Vern Walther, C. Ped

Your feet are the foundation and support for the rest of your body. Whatever your activity - be it walking, dancing, skiing, skating, jogging , or golfing - you depend on your feet for control, balance and feedback. The interface between your feet and your footwear is critical to your performance. Ideally, your footwear should make your shoes, boots, or skates a perfect extension of your body. There should be no instability or movement when the footwear is properly adjusted. At the same time, it should help absorb shock while maintaining the critical biomechanical structure and alignment of the foot.

The human foot has been described as an engineering marvel and is composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and 100 + tendons, muscles and ligaments. Abnormal foot mechanics during the stance phase of gait can affect alignment of the lower extremities and result in not only abnormal stresses at the foot but at the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back as well (1, 2). Feet were not designed with concrete and walking surfaces in mind; neither were they intended to be imprisoned in unforgiving footwear for 15 hours at a stretch. Nevertheless, those are the realities of modern living. To make matters worse, shoes are designed and mass produced to fit an "average" foot. Fortunately, in most cases accommodative inserts and orthotics can be customized and tailored for each individual. Accommodative inserts and orthotics are fitted for an individuals' feet and body type, and can support the foot in a desired position and redistribute weight-bearing patterns for comfort and protection during a dynamic task such as walking or running (3,4). They accomplish this by 1) providing softness or cushioning to increase shock absorption, 2) providing relief to pressure-sensitive plantar aspects to reduce pain under bony prominences, 3) reducing plantar shearing forces, 4) supporting or "balancing" the joints of the foot in the position most desirable for weight bearing, and 5) correcting functional deformities (5). These orthotics can be classified into rigid, semi-rigid and soft or temporary orthotics.   

Keeping in mind that the most neglected parts of our body are the feet. Orthotics and specialized shoes can help minimize discomfort due to:

For more information on orthotics or specialty shoes please consult with your physical therapist, certified pedorthist or podiatrist. Otherwise you can contact Vern Walther, C. Ped directly by visiting www.footsolutions.com/mequon.