Military Officer - March 2007 - (Page 48)

askthedoctor If the Shoe Fits Though we use them every day, feet are fragile; abused feet can hamper mobility and quality of life. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., offers tips to make sure your shoes protect your feet. C Other Ways to Take Care of Your Feet ■ Use a pumice stone at any sign of corns or calluses, smother dry feet with lotion (especially in winter), clip nails to prevent painful ingrown toenails, and take care not to cut your feet if you go barefoot. omfortable shoes contribute to healthy feet, but unfortunately they are not always the most stylish shoe choices, especially for women. Shoe styles with long, pointed toes can compress feet — more so when coupled with high, narrow heels, which often push the toes and feet farther into the shoe, crowding and compressing the foot. High, narrow heels also contribute to stumbling and falls that can cause sprained ankles and broken bones. Chronic wearing of high heels can shorten the calf muscle in the back of the leg, causing the foot to remain in the “high-heeled position” and making it painful and difﬁcult to wear low-heeled shoes or athletic shoes or go barefoot. Pay close attention when you are shopping for shoes. Choose shoes that are the same shape as your feet, and try to choose shoe styles that complement your foot structure — high arch or ﬂattened arch, wide foot or narrow foot, and location of the ball of the foot. Measure length and width of both feet, and buy shoes sized for the larger foot. To get the best ﬁt, try not only the size you measure to but also a half size larger and a half size smaller. If a shoe isn’t comfortable when you ﬁrst put it on, try another size or style. Pay special attention to width. Note that your feet change size during the day, which can affect shoe ﬁt. When you ﬁnd a shoe that seems comfortable, walk around in the store for a few minutes. Check to see how it ﬁts your heel — will it rub, causing blisters? Thicker socks need larger shoes, so when you’re trying shoes on wear the same type of socks you plan to wear with the shoe. The bottoms of some shoes are very slippery — great for dancing, but not appropriate for an icy sidewalk. Low-heeled shoes with rubber soles help prevent falls, especially for older people who might have more difﬁculty with balance. Many people prefer soft-soled shoes that bend with your foot as you walk. Soft leather uppers often are more comfortable than those with stiffer leather or synthetic materials (which often don’t “breathe”). Shoes with padded soles provide more protection than hard soles; if shoes aren’t padded, consider purchasing a gel or other insole for more foot protection. Wear boots when hiking, for ankle support. Buy athletic shoes speciﬁc to your sport, and replace them regularly, as the cushioning degrades over time. The next time you are cleaning out your closet, consider giving away all the shoes that don’t ﬁt or aren’t comfortable, especially those that are too narrow or too short or give you blisters. Look at the bottoms of shoes and discard or resole any with very worn soles. Take care of your feet and enjoy greater mobility for years to come. MO — Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www .moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 20. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT 48 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2007 http://www.moaa.org/wellness http://www.moaa.org/wellness

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From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Forward, March 10 Top Cities Tell Us About It Fly the Plan Cover Story: The War Poster One Percent Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Member Services Member Books Sounding Taps MOAA Calendar Encore

Military Officer - March 2007

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