Feet come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are big, some are small, some have high arches, some of no arch at all, and some are wider than others. It’s the last of these descriptors – wide feet – that we want to focus on today. There are some benefits to having wide feet, but they can also increase your risk of different foot ailments if you’re not careful. In today’s blog, we share some things you ought to know if you have been blessed with wide feet.
The Benefits Of Wide Feet
Wide feet is a preferred trait throughout much of the animal kingdom. A duck with wider feet can better swim through a pond in search of food. Creatures that burrow would prefer a wider foot to help remove dirt and debris from tunnels. Birds of prey with wider talons can better pluck prey off the ground when they strike. And while humans may not need wide feet for survival purposes, wide feet aren’t a bad thing either.
Wider feet allows you to have a more stable base when you walk, move, run and jump. This can help stress be dispersed across your feet more evenly, and it can improve your balance, in turn reducing your risk of a fall. This is especially helpful as we get older and our fall risk naturally increases. Wide feet can contribute to a more stable and balanced base.
The Drawbacks Of Wide Feet
Wide feet can also lead to problems if you don’t account for their unique size and shape. For starters, there are a number of different foot issues that can develop when you put your feet into shoes that don’t fit properly. If you force your foot into a shoe that’s too narrow for your foot’s natural shape, you may increase your risk of developing the following issues:
- Bunions
- Blisters
- Hammertoes
- Metatarsalgia
- Ingrown toenails
- Corns and calluses
Many of these issues stem from abnormal pressure being placed on the side of your feet, which is exactly what happens when someone with wide feet places them in a shoe that’s too narrow. If you have wide feet, make sure that you’re seeking out a shoe that is specifically designed for your foot shape. Better yet, have your feet professionally fitted every time you purchase a new pair of shoes so that you know your wide feet are accounted for.
Embrace your wide feet, just be sure that your footwear is designed to support a naturally wider foot shape. Ignoring your wide feet can lead to a host of painful issues that can make mobility challenging, so be a little proactive and work to prevent these problems from developing in the first place. For more information about caring for your wide feet, or for answers to other questions you have about foot health, connect with Dr. Silverman and his team today!