The 5 Commandments of Buying Shoes
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Board-certified podiatrists Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Joseph Saka, and Dr. Dan Phan don’t wear long robes and hand down rules etched into tablets à la Moses and the Ten Commandments. But if we did, we’d wear sturdy sandals and turn out the following five commandments about buying shoes and getting the proper fit. It isn’t wisdom handed down from God. It’s the collective knowledge from our decades of medical training and foot care at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Thou shalt not skip the measuring. National Measure Your Feet Day is coming up on January 23. It’s a great reminder that you should have your feet measured each time you buy new shoes. Feet don’t always stay the same size! They can get longer or widen as you age from loosened ligaments or pressure from extra pounds. Be sure to measure your right foot and your left. Buy shoes that accommodate the larger size, if necessary.
Thou shalt not shop first thing in the morning. Try on shoes toward the end of the day. Your feet will be larger after several hours of daily activity.
Thou shalt not be seduced by the forces of fashion. If they look beautiful but pinch your toes, make you wobble when you walk, slip off the back of your heel, or easily fold in half - they’re not a good fit. They won’t be comfortable and can cause lasting foot pain.
Thou shalt not forget thine hosiery. The material and thickness of your socks or pantyhose affect how the shoes fit.
Thou shalt not buy running shoes to play basketball. Nor shall you wear flip-flops to walk on a slushy sidewalk. For maximum protection and support of your feet, wear the right shoe for your activity.
Following these “commandments” will help prevent a host of problems such as ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, bruised toenails, corns, and blisters. If you’ve been experiencing any of these problems, contact us online or call (732) 905-1110 for an appointment at our Howell or Jackson podiatry offices.