What Your Shoes Tell You About Your Feet
Did you know that the average American walks 8,000 steps a day? Maybe it's less right now with many people staying at home, but whether it's in the home or outside, looking at the soles of your shoes can tell you a lot about your individual feet, especially about the way you walk.
When you walk, your weight naturally shifts from the outside to the inside of your foot. This movement is typically described as pronation.
There are 3 types of wear you may see on your shoes:
Neutral pronation: If the sole has wear on the middle to outer edge of the heel, as well as on the ball of the foot and the big toe area, you have neutral pronation.
Over-pronation: If the middle to outer heel on the inner edge, and the area under the big toe and forefoot is worn, it indicates that your body weight transfers more to the arch of your foot. People with flat arches and flexible feet often see this pattern on their soles and can experience issues in their knees, hips, and back.
Over-supination: Supination is the opposite of pronation and occurs when your weight stays towards the outside of the foot. Your shoes will typically show wearing on the outer edge of the heel as well as the area by your pinky toe. This pattern is common in people who have high arches and are unable to flatten their feet as they walk.
If you have overpronation or oversupination, it is important to address the foot mechanics to minimize your risk for injuries and pain.
There are several ways you can improve your gait and foot structure:
Custom orthotics and braces - shoe inserts created for your individual feet creates support where needed and improves your foot mechanics and helps to prevent foot and ankle issues.
Physical therapy - Strengthening and stretching your feet through physical therapy exercises can greatly improve your gait, balance, and overall foot health.
Proper fitting shoes - finding a comfortable shoe that has a snug heel fit while giving your toes plenty of room, and appropriate flexibility in the soles is important to reduce tension and discomfort for your feet.
Get help from our expert podiatrists
Whether you need help determining your foot type or need custom orthotics or shoes to address your foot and ankle issues, the first step is to consult with an experienced podiatrist. Dr. Eric Feit and his team of foot care specialists at Precision Foot and Ankle Care Centers help patients of all ages address common foot issues such as arthritis, flat feet, skin and nail issues, diabetic foot problems, and injuries. We continue to serve our patients in office with extra safety protocols in place. Contact our Los Angeles, Torrance, and San Pedro offices today to schedule an appointment!