About Orthopedic Shoes
Orthopedic shoes are worn by all kinds of people, and if you suffer any kind of foot pain that makes walking difficult, investing in a pair of orthopedic shoes could be a good idea.If you suffer from fallen arches, bunions or hammertoe, you'll probably find it very difficult to find a comfortable pair of shoes from your regular shoe retailer. Even the common corn or callus can cause a lot of pain if you try to force your feet into unsuitable shoes, and that little bit of foot pain you're suffering now will feel a hundred times worse once you've walked to work.
Although we all complain of sore feet from time to time, anyone who suffers regular foot pain of the type described above could benefit from wearing a pair of shoes specially designed for their problem feet. Remember, it's not just your feet which are affected by the type of shoes you wear: ill-fitting shoes or intense foot pain can also affect your legs and lower back, ultimately causing poor posture and back pain.
What Makes a Good Pair Of Orthopedic Shoes?
Orthopedic shoes are specially designed to offer the maximum support to your feet, and to correct any problems you might have. Different people have different problems, so there are dozens of different types of these shoes on the market, with each style designed to cater to a different problem.
All types of orthopedic shoes have some features in common, though/
Firm Heels
Stilettos, or even kitten heels, may look cute, but they the worst type of heels possible for your feet. Orthopedic shoes have good, firm heels which don't force your body out of balance the way high heels do. Very high heels actually alter your body's center of gravity, forcing you to walk in a way that's totally unnatural. The heels on orthopedic shoes are always low enough and wide enough to allow you to walk the way nature intended.
Wide Toes
The trend for pointy-toed shoes must have been greeted with loud sighs from podiatrists across the land. Like high heels, pointed toes look great, but they do tend to pinch! Orthopedic shoes have toes which are wide enough to give your toes room to move, so you won't feel the pinch.
Rigid Shanks
The shank of a shoe is the part that connects to the heel. In order for your foot to be properly supported, this needs to be rigid, or at least semi-rigid.
Removable Inner Soles
Most orthopedic shoes have soles which can be easily removed and replaced. You can also buy specialist insoles to correct common foot problems.
How to Choose Them
Of course, no matter what style of shoes you're buying, it's of the utmost importance to make sure that you have the perfect fit. This is even more important when you're purchasing orthopedic shoes. Luckily, most retailers of this type of shoe will have some knowledge of the various problems the shoes are designed to correct, and will be able to help you find the right shoes.
For more information on every type of foot problem imaginable, and how to treat foot pain, ePodiatry.com is an invaluable resource.
Where to Buy
Buying orthopedic shoes can be difficult, as you'll naturally want to try and find shoes that look good as well as being comfortable. The online stores listed below offer a wide selection of shoes for various foot problems:
