Tag Archives: Shoes

What Kind of Orthotics Work for You?

Orthotics reduce pain and prevent foot conditions from progressing. While adjustments may be made, the trickiest part is determining what kind truly works for your unique situation.

There are three broad categories of orthotics. The first category of orthotics primarily optimizes foot functions; the second category primarily protects your feet; and the third category contains orthotics which both optimize and protect. You may also distinguish between rigid, semirigid and soft orthotics.

Rigid Orthotics

Rigid orthotics control motion in two major foot joints. They are often made of plastic or carbon fiber and can be used for a longer period.

Semirigid Orthotics

Semirigid orthotics help maintain your balance by supporting muscles, joints and tendons. They usually consist of a soft layer of material which is reinforced with rigid orthotic elements. Semirigid orthotics are often used by athletes.

Soft Orthotics

Soft orthotics improve absorption from shock and take pressure off of painful areas caused by arthritis, diabetes and other conditions. This type of orthotic pads certain areas, which is why they are made of compressible materials requiring more space in your shoes.

Incorrectly fitted orthotics may not only be inefficient, but they may also cause other conditions to emerge or worsen. We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified podiatrist like Dr. Smith to avoid injuries and costly readjustments. One visit may do the trick and set you up with the perfect orthotics for years to come. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office team with any questions.

Orthotic Shoes to Beat the Summer Heat

Orthotics improve your well-being by relieving pain and correcting your gait, but finding shoes to accommodate your orthotic inserts remains a challenge. Common questions you need to ask yourself when buying new shoes include the following:

  • Is the footbed deep enough?
  • Is there extra space around the toes?
  • Is a larger size than you would usually need available?
  • Does the shoe allow you to easily adjust orthotics?

Finding fashionable yet durable summer footwear is even more of a challenge, which is why we would like to introduce a couple of models for those of you using orthotics.

Wolky Jewel Sandals

These lightweight sandals with wedge heel come in many different styles. Removable footbeds and upper straps allow for easily fitting orthotics.

Naot Paris

The stylish Naot Paris sandal offers a removable, anatomic cork & latex footbed which is wrapped in pampering suede and molds to the foot with wear.

Propet TravelActiv Mary Jane

Propet’s durable sandals with removable insoles for custom orthotics are ideal for taking a stroll with the family. Their loop closure at instep ensures a comfortable grip.

Our office team is more than happy to consult on summer orthotic footwear to meet your unique needs. We also carry a full line of prescription footwear, socks and other items used to care for your feet.

Custom Steel Toe Boots

Do you wear steel toe boots for work? Are you experiencing pain, cramping or numbness in your feet?  There are several possible causes.  Wearing steel toe boots five or more hours a day means you should not skimp on the quality of the boot.  Making the investment up front pays off in the long run and may save you trips to the doctor!

It may be a surprise to hear this pain isn’t due to your steel toe boots. Well… it is, but not in the way you might have imagined. It is actually due to a poorly fit boot. If your toe box is too small, then you may experience symptoms of chafing, painful corns and/or toe muscle damage. If you have too high of a heel paired alongside a cramped toe box, then your nerves may pinch and this pinch creates nerve pain, as well as numbness in your toes. You may have a narrow fitting boot which often creates bunions.

None of these symptoms sound pleasant and nobody should endure this pain. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms; we recommend you be sure to get your boot fitted to your feet while wearing your work socks so the boots will fit perfectly when it matters most. WorkHabor and the National Center for Workforce and Development (NCWD)  recommend the following;

  • Break your boots in
  • Don’t wear your boots too tight
  • Add padding if your boots are not tight enough
  • Make use of shoe inserts, band aids and socks
  • Wear steel-toed boots fit to your feet
  • Maintain proper care of your boots

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions!

5 Tips For Finding Comfortable Shoes

Buying shoes isn’t something most of us think too much about. We find a pair that looks good, maybe walk up and down the aisle a couple times with them onto make sure nothing rubs or pokes and that’s that. There are a few key details that can impact your visit dramatically and, if taken into consideration, can get you a shoe that will be more comfortable and healthier for your feet in the long run. Next time you love a pair of shoes, makes sure to consider these tips so you know they’ll love you back.

1. Don’t Try Shoes in the Morning

Your feet are changing throughout the day depending on your daily activities and overall health. It’s natural for your feet to expand throughout the day which means that a shoe that fits perfectly first thing in the morning might get a little snug later in the afternoon.

2. Take a Stroll in Your New Kicks

While walking up and down the aisle won’t give you a perfect representation of what it will be like to wear that pair of shoes day to day, it’s a great was to quickly see if you have a winning pair or need to try again. Don’t tell yourself that they’ll fit better as they break in, get shoes that fit well from day one.

3. No Two Feet are the Same, Get Measured!

Did you know the same person can have two different sized feet? Getting your feet measured every time you buy shoes cuts out having to guess which size or half size you are and ensures that your buying something actually made for your feet and not cramming into what ‘should’ fit. Generally, you should leave 3/8” to ½” of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Are you cool enough to have different sized feet? Seek out shoes that are the same size as the larger of your feet.

4. Shoes Come in ‘Wide’ Too

You finally found that perfect shoe. Oh so stylish, perfect length, and great support but…it’s compressing the ball of your foot. Never fear! Ask if the shoe comes in a wider size because a longer shoe likely won’t solve the problem in the long run.

5. Do Some Sole Searching

When looking at new athletic or work shoes, especially, check out the soles and the kind of tread they have. Walking on multiple kinds of surfaces like carpet, linoleum, and tile will give you a feel for how supportive they are as well as if they will be slippery on different surfaces. A good tread will give you better traction and cushioning while exerting yourself, offering better ankle, hip, and back protection.

Protective Footwear for Physical Labor Workers

All of us know to avoid stepping on sharp objects.  Simply looking out for what (literally) lies ahead helps to prevent serious injuries. This is harder for people who work in the construction field.

Foot injuries in this kind of industry is common, the two main categories are injuries from impact, compression, and puncture, and injuries from slips, trips, and falls. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 89,000 (43%) of private industry non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses involved injuries to the ankle or foot. As a consequence, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the US Department of Labor determined workers in this field must wear protective footwear in the following situations (source: OSHA):

  • When heavy objects like barrels or tools might roll onto or fall on an employee’s foot;
  • Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;
  • Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;
  • Working on or around hot, wet or slippery surfaces
  • Working when electrical hazards are present

Protective measures include the use of metatarsal, toe, foot, and shin guards; safety shoes; or simply leggings. There are several kind of safety shoes, such as electrically conductive shoes, electrical hazard shoes, and foundry shoes. Appropriate equipment is available for every trade.

For more information about protective footwear have a look at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.html#footandleg and https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2016/01/01/If-the-Shoe-Fits.aspx.

As always, don’t hesitate to ask your podiatrist for further information on how to take care of your feet, whether you are involved in physical labor or not.

palmercarpentera