Put Your Healthy Feet Forward

May was World Foot Health Awareness Month. Vein Wear shoes spoke to a local podiatrist about shoe-related foot problems, and set about righting a few – very unattractive – wrongs (we're looking at you, orthopaedic shoes).

A national survey of 1200 people by the Australasian Podiatry Council in May 2002 found more than 60 per cent of people have experienced foot pain in their lifetime, two-thirds of those within the past 12 months. 

“A lot of the problems commonly presented to podiatrists are caused by poor footwear choices,” says podiatrist Carley Strain of Vivir Podiatry at Morningside. 

“Shoes that are too narrow or too tapered at the toe can cause hammer toes, clawed toes, ingrown toenails, corns and callouses, and can make bunions worse. They can also cause problems like neuromas (nerve swelling or tumour) and metarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot) as there isn't enough room for toes to move and function correctly. 

"Once you develop problems such as these, your shoe choices become severely limited, and you may require extra depth and extra width shoes to accommodate toe deformities and allow you to walk without pain. If you do not change your shoes to adequately fit your feet, major surgery may become the only option to relieve the pain. This often involves general anaesthesia and can have recovery periods of six to eight weeks upwards – requiring time off work and the replacement of normal shoes with a surgical shoe.

“Furthermore, footwear that doesn't provide enough support can lead to problems such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and other tendon strains. Sufferers of this condition sometimes need to switch to a supportive, athletic-style shoe full-time, and may also be required to wear custom-made orthoses from a podiatrist.

“Problems such as Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) are often a result of wearing shoes made out of synthetic materials that do not allow feet to breathe. People with Tinea may suffer from itching, red, smelly feet requiring a pharmaceutical product.

“Incorrect footwear can also result in arthritis of the foot joints later in life. This can be a very painful condition that results from joints incorrectly tracking and cartilage wearing away.

“When shoe shopping, there are 15 important points to remember: 

1) Buy shoes at the end of the day when feet are largest.

2) Most people have left and right feet that are not the same size and it is important to fit shoes to the longer, wider foot. (Inserts can always be added to the smaller foot.)

3) Foot size can change as we get older.

4) Shoe sizes are not consistent across all brands (there are no Australian sizing standards – unlike the UK, US and Europe).

5) Never buy shoes that are too tight and expect them to stretch to fit. Shoes should feel comfortable in the store.

6) If you are buying a pair of shoes that you would normally wear with socks, take along the pair of socks and try them on with the shoes to ensure a correct fit.

7) Make sure there is 1.25cm between the tip of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

8) Leave the shoes on for a least five minutes in the store and walk around to ensure they are comfortable and easy to walk in.

9) When you remove the shoes, check your feet to ensure there are no red marks or pressure areas, as these indicate the shoes are not the correct fit.

10) Shoes should have strong heel counters and shanks to support the foot.

11) Shoes should have padding at the forefoot to cushion as you walk. 

12) Squared toe boxes are the most preferable shape as they allow enough room for toes.

13) Shoes with laces or other adjustable fastenings are preferable to slip-on shoes.

14) Leather or natural-fibre shoes are better as they allow feet to breathe.

15) Heels over 5cm should be avoided by women, as they put abnormal pressures through the forefoot and can cause ankle, knee, hip and back problems due to incorrect posture.”

Brisbane-based footwear label Vein Wear has always taken comfort into consideration. ''Too often healthy feet are associated with unattractive, unfashionable footwear,” says Vein shoe designer Chris McCallum. “We decided to address this gap in the market early on and have always offered fashion-forward foot-conscious shoes – to our clientele's delight.

"Vein's men's shoes have a standard heel height that is the seven- to 10-degree rise recommended by podiatrists. Furthermore, all incorporate a high-grade rubber heel-cap and sole that prevents slipping and lasts longer. Structural heel support is included in the upper to prevent foot pain and injuries.“

Chris's wife Szuting designs the company's women's range Kitty Croquet. “Around 75 per cent of Kitty Croquet's shoes are either flat or have a heel height below 5cm, which podiatrists recommend,” she says. 

"Kitty and Vein never use PU, fake leather, man-made/synthetic or any non-genuine leather product – only 100 per cent genuine high-grade leather that is supple, comfortable and breathes. The premium back area of the hide is used to maintain the strength, elasticity and look of the shoe." 

Chris adds: "All Vein's shoes are totally lined with 100 per cent genuine cow leather that is non-dyed, natural and non-allergenic. The footbed in both our men's and women's shoes is a single piece of padded genuine leather for better comfort, health and durability. 

"Most men's shoes on the market go up to a 45 or 46, however Vein's go up to a size 48 so no one has to resort to squeezing their feet into a pair they fall in love with. Kitty's new range (due out in July) will be going up to a size 43 – two sizes larger than most women's shoe labels – so no one crams their foot into a shoe too small.

"When people try on our shoes for the first time, they are often surprised to find them easy and comfortable to walk in straight away. It's sad that the public automatically associates good-looking shoes with pain! We often have clients tell us they had no pain after being on their feet all day in our shoes, which is how it should be.”  

For more information, phone Vein Wear on 0434 059 416 or podiatrist Carley Strain on 3899 1833.

Visit us at shop 25, Brisbane Arcade, Adelaide St, Brisbane city, or at www.veinwear.com