Summer Shoes and Foot Problems

Here’s a look at a number of reasons why summer footwear options can cause different issues for our feet.

Poor Arch Support – A number of minimalist shoe options, like sandals or flats, don’t offer much in the way of arch support. This can lead to problems like plantar fasciitis or a fallen arch. If you’re picking out a new pair of one of these types of shoes, try to find one that provides some arch support. If you’re wearing an old pair that doesn’t offer much support, limit the time you spend in these shoes.

Shifting Sandals – Another issue that sometimes arises with sandals is that they can shift as you walk. If you’re forced to flex your toes in order to prevent your sandal from sliding off, it can lead to muscle issues in your foot. If possible, buy sandals that have straps to help hold the shoe in place as you walk.

Wrong Shoe For The Job – The summertime allows us to partake in some seasonal activities, like hiking, biking or exploring the city on foot. If you’re not wearing the right shoe for the day, your dogs may be barking by the time you’re back home. Plan ahead and make sure you wear the right shoes for the upcoming activities, or pack an extra pair so you’re prepared for whatever the day has in store for you.

Slip Protection – If you’re going to be hanging out near the pool or other slippery surfaces, you’ll want to ensure the shoes you’re wearing have a good grip. Water-related slip and falls are common during the summer, so if you’re going to the water park this summer, pack your water shoes.

Sweat and Blisters – A final way that the summer months can challenge our feet is through sweat and blister formation. Even if you have moisture-wicking socks, spending a long time in shoes in warm weather can lead to sweaty socks. Wet socks can increase sheering on your skin and lead to blister formation or provide an ideal habitat for athlete’s foot fungus. Pack extra socks, wear breathable shoes and strive to keep your feet dry this summer.

The post Are Your Summer Shoes Causing Your Foot Pain? appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

Foot Injuries On The Job

A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that roughly 60,000 workers suffer foot injuries at work each year, and 75 percent of those cases involve workers not in compliance with current safety regulations. Moreover, the financial impact of these foot injuries was an estimated $9,600 a day, meaning these injuries are costing American businesses millions of dollars each year.

What To Look For In A Work Boot

What you should look for in footwear for your job depends on the industry that you work in, so there’s no one-size-fits-all footwear that will cover all your bases. Shoe manufacturers have gotten better at making durable shoes that protect the feet against a wide range of injuries, so depending on your industry, you’ll want to look for certain features. Here’s a list of some protections offered by different work boots.

• Steel toe boots
• Compression prevention boots
• Pierce protection boots
• Slip-resistant boots
• Electrocution-mitigation boots
• Waterproof boots
• Static dissipation boots
• Shock-resistant boots

Reading boot labels is also important to keeping your foot injury-free on the job. Many work boots will have ratings that tell you how much compression they can handle, what type of electrical protection they offer, or if they can protect against certain equipment malfunctions like chainsaw resistance.

The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) generally places tags on these boots so the user can determine exactly what the boot protects against. This is especially important because certain jobs require compression protection up to a certain poundage or a specific type of electricity mitigation. For example, some boots offer electrical protection with thick rubber soles, others protect through static dissipation, while others keep the worker safe with dielectric insulation in the boot. Depending on what you need for work, you’ll want to check the ASTM tag for clarification.

Lastly, another important thing to look for in a work boot is the fit of the shoe itself. You’ll want to find a shoe that offers support to your whole foot, especially in your ankles and arch. You’ll want to ensure your toes have a little room to breath, but not so much that your foot is sliding around in the shoe. We recommend buying a work shoe in the store so you can try it on in person to see if it fits before buying. If you have any questions about the shoes, don’t hesitate to ask an employee, or better yet, bring your shoes with you when you have your next visit with your foot specialist!

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