Newswise ó If style is the main
objective when you select shoes, your feet may suffer, especially as
Over time, your feet become wider
and longer and the natural padding under your heel and forefoot
thins. Years of use also flatten your arches and stiffen your feet
If you often wear shoes that are
too short or too narrow, you may develop foot deformities such as
bunions, calluses or corns, hammertoes or pinched nerves between
your toes. Wearing better-fitting shoes reduces your chances of
developing deformities or making them worse.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic
Womenís HealthSource offers these tips when selecting shoes:
* Try on shoes later in the day.
Feet can swell as the day wears on.
* Fit shoes to your largest foot.
Your feet arenít equally matched, so have both measured.
* Make sure thereís at least a
half-inch for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when youíre
standing. You should be able to wiggle all toes.
* Make sure your heel doesnít ride
up and down when you walk.
* Leave too-tight shoes behind.
Thereís no such thing as a break-in period.
* Look for shoes that are solidly
constructed, conform to your feet and have cushioned soles that
absorb the shock of hard surfaces.
* Try a lace-up style. A shoe that
ties can be adjusted for better comfort and support.
* Look for a natural material,
such as leather, on the upper portion of the shoes because itís
usually softer and provides more flexibility than a man-made
If you have diabetes,
osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions that put you
at risk of foot problems, ask your doctor what other precautions are