Health & Safety Resources

Proper Foot Wear

Inappropriate footwear is one of the most common causes of overuse injuries.  Your feet are subjected to almost a million pounds of pressure during one hour of strenuous exercise.  Proper footwear is important to cushion these loads.  Different sports have different requirements for footwear, and it is important to wear sport specific shoes.  For example, a running shoe has more cushioning for shock absorption than a basketball shoe, which provides more lateral ankle support for sudden stops and starts on the court.  For shoes to prevent injury they need to be tailored to each athlete’s individual anatomy.

Some people have a stiff and rigid foot and need more heel and forefoot cushioning, while others have flat feet requiring a shoe with a stiffer heel.  It is recommended that you consult a professional to learn your foot shape and choose the appropriate shoes for your feet.

Since your feet expand during weight bearing you should stand up when you are being measured and make sure to measure both feet since they may be different sizes.  You should try shoes on later in the day since your feet swell and are at their largest at the end of the day.  Make sure to wear athletic socks similar to those you would wear during your sport and try on both shoes to make sure they fit.

Your heel should fit snugly in the shoe and does not slip as you walk.  You need to be able to wiggle your toes and have approximately a thumbs width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.  You can try walking or jogging a few steps to give you an idea of the shoes’ comfort during your activity.  If the shoe fits uncomfortably, when you first try it on, it will most likely be uncomfortable during exercise.  It should feel comfortable from the moment it’s on your foot; you should not have to break in athletic shoes.

If you have 300-500 miles or walking or running on your shoes you will have worn out most of the shock absorption and arch support.  You can check for signs of wear on the sole by placing your shoes on a table and looking at them from behind.  If the soles are worn and leaning to one side, the midsole cushioning is probably worn as well.  A shoe’s midsole cushioning may be worn out long before the tread shows signs of wear.  A worn out midsole will have wrinkles and creases under the heel or the ball of the foot.  Try to twist the shoe.  A worn out midsole will allow the shoe to twist more easily than a new shoe.

For more information on this article or for priority appointments for sports injures please contact Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine at 313 972-4216.

Henry Ford Health System’s Center for Athletic Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to sports medicine, including surgical and non-surgical care, sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance enhancement programs.  The HFHS treatment team includes sports medicine fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine fellowship trained primary care physicians, as well as certified athletic trainers and physical therapists.  These health care professionals are supported by the HFHS nationally recognized bone and joint research facility, including the prestigious Herrick Davis Motion Analysis Lab.  HFHS is proud to be health care providers to the Detroit area’s premier sports programs including professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.