There are many benefits of correct shoe sizing, so you’ll never want to make the mistake of wearing ill-fitting shoes. Wearing incorrect shoe sizes can have repercussions on your feet you wouldn’t even imagine, often painful and debilitating. There may also be lifelong effects from wearing the incorrect shoe size. Let’s discuss the importance of why you should ensure your shoes fit properly, and the repercussions if you don’t. Best Foot Doctor NY is the podiatry clinic you can trust with all your foot issues, including the aftermath of wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Manhattan’s Best Podiatrist Explains The Benefits of Correct Shoe Sizing
The proper footwear fit is essential for everyday life. Finding out the appropriate shoe size for your feet may mean having your foot measured at the shoe store. It is crucial to measure the length, width, and arch length of your foot to ensure you’re getting the correct shoe size. Some of the most well-known tips for finding the right shoe size include:
- Leave half an inch between the end of the longest toe and the front of the shoe
- Also make sure to leave some space between your heel and the back of your shoe to avoid blisters, about an eighth of an inch
- Pick shoes that match your foot shape
- Each brand may have a different fitting shoe, so even if you find your size in one brand, always make sure to try it on, as you may need to size up/down
- Feet fluctuate in size throughout the day, so shop for shoes at the end of the day, they are at their largest.
Advantages of Proper Shoe Sizing
Getting the right shoe size can leave your feet feeling comfortable. Some of the benefits of correct shoe sizing include wearing shoes that protect our feet and make it comfortable to play sports or complete daily activities easier. Also, wearing the proper shoe sizing during sports and exercise may work to prevent activity-related injuries to the feet.
Repercussions of Ill-Fitting Shoes
Just as there are benefits of correct shoe sizing, there are also consequences when it comes to wearing shoes that don’t properly fit. Wearing shoes that are the wrong size can cause a number of problems for feet, such as:
Bunions
Bunions are one of the most common and painful effects of wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Bunions are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe, and are often characterized by swelling and pain, limited movement of the big toe, and corns or calluses. Proper footwear fit can help reduce the risk of developing bunions, corns, and even hammertoes, which is another form of toe deformity involving bent toes that no longer flatten.
Pain and Stress to Bones and Joints
If you are wearing the wrong size of shoes in a job that requires you to stand for a long period of time, you will feel the consequences. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause pain flare-ups in your hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Improper-fitting shoes can also worsen existing arthritis. One of the most well-known benefits of correct shoe sizing is being able to do more physical activity with ease, including standing!
Manhattan’s Best Podiatrist Discusses the Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Shoes that are too short and narrow can place extra pressure on the toes. This can lead to ingrown toenails, which are toenails growing into the skin. Ingrown toenails can cause pain and even result in infection.
By not paying attention to proper footwear fit, your quality of life is bound to suffer. Wearing improper shoe sizes can lead people to be uncomfortable for prolonged periods of time, not to mention have an increased probability of falling and suffering from other foot-related injuries. Improper-fitting shoes can slow down your mobility, and this and the previously mentioned consequences can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life, especially down the road when you are older.
Make sure to follow the tips mentioned above to find the appropriate shoe size for you. Your feet will thank you for it, and you will be able to do so many more activities!
Read more in our blog: How Can I Manage Ingrown Toenails? Expert Insights From NYC Foot Care Professionals
Need a Podiatrist in Manhattan and Surrounding Areas?
Now that we have seen the benefits of correct shoe sizing, along with the consequences of wearing the wrong-sized shoes, take the right measures for proper footwear fit. Best Foot Doctor NY is the trusted team of podiatrists to turn to if you suffer from bunions and other foot issues from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Contact us now to book your consultation!