Learning About Podiatry Treatments

Five Mistakes To Avoid When Purchasing Footwear If You Have Orthotic Issues

25 November 2017

Raul Wheeler

Purchasing footwear is an important decision if you're dealing with orthotic issues. Pain and discomfort resulting from orthotic issues can become much more pronounced if you're wearing improper or inadequate footwear. Severe pain and discomfort can make it hard for you to handle your professional and personal commitments on a day to day basis.

Fortunately, you can ensure that you'll make an appropriate footwear choice if you avoid the following five mistakes:

Neglecting to first discuss your decision with your podiatrist

The best source of information on choosing the right footwear for your unique condition is your podiatrist. Make sure you bring up any issues you've had with past footwear and ask your podiatrist which footwear options out there will be best able to fit any orthotic supports you're using. 

Trying on footwear without your orthotics

If you've been seeing a podiatrist for a while, you probably already have orthotic inserts that you've been using. It's probably best to get a new orthotic insert produced that will fit best with your new footwear.

However, having your old orthotic available when you try new shoes on is a good idea. It can give you a better idea of how shoes fit than trying on shoes without any orthotic in place. 

Paying more attention to a shorter or more narrow foot if your feet are slightly different in size and shape

A lot of podiatrist patients have one foot that's slightly longer or wider than the other. It's always best to focus more on the larger foot. You're going to suffer from more comfort issues if a shoe is too small than if it's too large. Size your footwear to your larger foot for best results. 

Automatically choosing a more expensive shoe or a shoe manufactured by a more well-known company

Some manufacturers are better than others at producing shoes that contour well with individual feet. A lot of more expensive shoe manufacturers are more focused on aesthetics than they are on catering to customers with orthotic issues.

Ask your podiatrist which shoe brands are best rather than simply opting for a more recognized brand of shoe. 

Putting too much stock in the size printed on shoes

A lot of people get set in the idea that they wear shoes of a certain size. However, it's important to note that shoe sizes can vary significantly between different manufacturers. 

Don't be blinded by the size that is printed on shoes you are trying on. Try to ignore the printed size and focus only on the way the shoe feels. Contact a company like Advanced Foot & Ankle Centers of Illinois for more information and assistance. 

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