6 Tips For A Great Fit

Our feet,​ ​like​ ​the​ ​foundation​ ​of​ ​a​ ​building,​ ​are​ ​important​ ​to​ ​providing​ ​structure​ ​and​ ​stability​ ​in our​ ​bodies.​ ​Improperly​ ​fitting​ ​shoes​ ​aren’t​ ​just​ ​uncomfortable--they​ ​can​ ​cause​ ​damage​ ​in​ ​the​ ​long term​ ​to​ ​our​ ​lower​ ​extremities.​ ​Everyone’s​ ​feet​ ​are​ ​different.​ ​The​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​our​ ​feet​ ​will​ ​change throughout​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​as​ ​we​ ​age​, ​even when​ ​we​ ​experience​ ​pregnancy​ ​or​ ​illness.​ Enlisting​ ​the​ ​help​ ​of a podiatrist will​ ​give​ ​you​ ​the​ ​tools​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​know​ ​what​ ​to​ ​look​ ​out​ ​for​ ​when​ ​getting your​ ​next​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​shoes.​ ​Here​ ​are​ ​six​ ​tips​ ​to​ ​help​ ​you​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​if​ ​your​ ​shoes​ ​truly​ ​fit:

• Find a​ ​fitting​ ​specialist near you.​ ​Get​ ​both​ ​feet​ ​measured,​ ​as​ ​there​ ​may​ ​be​ ​a​ ​difference in​ ​sizes​ ​between​ ​your​ ​feet.

• Ask​ ​a​ ​fitting​ ​specialist​ ​if​ ​the​ ​shoes​ ​are​ ​straight​ ​or​ ​curved.​ ​Shoes​ ​are​ ​made​ ​of​ ​varying materials​ ​and​ ​can​ ​be​ ​uncomfortable​ ​if​ ​the​ ​material​ ​isn’t​ ​strong​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​foot.

• Take​ ​a​ ​stroll​ ​in​ ​your​ ​shoes​ ​before​ ​purchasing​ ​them.​ ​Pay​ ​careful​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​any​ ​tightness or​ ​friction​ ​and​ ​where​ ​it​ ​is​ ​occurring.​ ​Be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​let​ ​the​ ​fitting​ ​specialist​ ​know!

• Tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​any​ ​symptoms​ ​of​ ​discomfort. This​ ​will​ ​help​ ​us​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​where​ ​your​ ​feet​ ​need​ ​more​ ​support​ ​and​ ​corrective​ ​footwear.

• Check​ ​in ​to​ ​see​ ​if​ ​your​ ​feet​ ​would​ ​benefit​ ​from​ ​supportive​ ​shoe​ ​inserts,​ ​or​ ​if​ ​you need​ ​medical​ ​grade​ ​orthotic​ ​inserts​ ​or​ ​shoes.

• When​ ​deciding​ ​if​ ​a​ ​new​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​shoes​ ​is​ ​necessary,​ ​give​ ​your​ ​insurance​ ​hotline​ ​a​ ​call. Some​ ​insurance​ ​companies​ ​will​ ​cover​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​orthotic​ ​inserts​ ​or​ ​shoes​ ​to​ ​help you​ ​feel​ ​better. 

            After​ ​reading​ ​this​ ​helpful​ ​list,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​surely​ ​be​ ​on​ ​your​ ​way​ ​to​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​better​ ​fitting​ ​pair​ ​of shoes.​ ​Our Doctors are trained ​to​ ​answer​ ​any​ ​questions​ ​you​ ​may​ ​have when ​finding​ ​a​ ​properly​ ​fitting​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​shoes.

At Tri County Foot & Ankle Center, our doctors are prepared to help you find the right pair of shoes. Call us today at (713) 946-1500 to schedule an appointment at one of five locations nearest to you.