Foot
Health
Common Foot Problems
Foot Health : Selecting The Right Athletic Shoe
Summer offers us a variety of sports and activities. From running to aerobics, the feet bear much of the burden for carrying out these summertime activities, and selecting the right footwear is critical to foot health and performance.
"Feet are made to bear tremendous pressure," says Philip Radovic, DPM, an Orange County podiatric surgeon and member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "An average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on the feet. Weight bearing sports like running and aerobics put even more pressure on the feet and ankles."
According to Dr. Radovic, selecting the right athletic footgear is important to the overall health of the feet. Depending on your sport of choice there is a shoe to meet your foot care needs.
"It's a good idea to use the correct shoe for each sport," he says. "For example, a running shoe is built to accommodate the impact that concentrates on the forefoot, while a tennis shoe is made to give relatively more support to the ankles, and permit sudden stops and turns."
Dr. Radovic provides a rundown of sports and recommended shoe type:
Children's Athletic Shoes: It's not the brand name or price tag of an athletic shoe that makes the difference in a child's foot health. Foot care specialists agree it's often better to buy a child two pairs of less expensive shoes than a single expensive pair. The reason that two pairs are better than one is so the shoes can be rotated, to avoid rapid wear deterioration. Excessive wearing of the out-sole, loss of shoe counter support, or wearing out in the mid-sole indicate it's time to replace the shoes. Proper fit is key.
"If you have a preexisting foot condition, your foot care specialist can make recommendations for appropriate shoes," says Dr. Radovic.
According to Dr.Radovic, comfort, fit and support are the key drivers in selecting shoes and recommends these general shoe buying tips:
For more information about the feet, contact Dr. Radovic's office at (949)493-8020.