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News Releases
Finding Your Perfect Sole Mate
Columbia, Mo. (April 25, 2007) -Choosing the right shoe is critical for people with arthritis. After all, your feet mirror your general health. Women have about four times as many foot problems as men - usually attributed to high heels. While most people opt for fashion over comfort, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends choosing a shoe that's right for you. Even the smallest details can have an impact on your feet and the way you feel!
"People often ignore their health problems until they limit their daily activities," says Darlene Reid, DPM, Fellow of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and spokesperson for the APMA. "This is, often when people come to a podiatrist for the first time - they can't walk comfortably as much as they need to!"
Most individuals buy shoes that do not fit properly and tend to aggravate foot deformities. Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon, according to the APMA. Your feet tend to swell a little during the day, and it's best to buy shoes that fit them then.
Here are a few general rules from the APMA to consider when choosing your next pair of shoes:
- Look for comfortable shoes that conform to the shape of your foot.
- Only buy shoes with a wide and deep toe box.
- Always fit the larger foot and have your feet sized each time you purchase shoes.
- Avoid shoes with heels over two inches high.
"Arthritis involves deformity and pain of the joints," says Reid. "Proper shoes and custom orthotics made by a podiatrist can help support the joints and foot structure to minimize pain."
Custom-made orthotics are shoe inserts that support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones in the feet, enabling all these parts to work together properly every step of the way. Unlike shoe inserts bought over the counter, orthotics prescribed by a podiatrist are molded to meet your unique needs.
For more information about the American Podiatric Medical Association, visit www.apma.org.
Making better shoe choices could save your feet in the future. If you are experiencing pain in your feet, consult your doctor. Be kind to your feet because they'll take you anywhere you want to go!
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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