The right footwear is essential for avoiding preventable injuries and accidents, and the type of footwear varies depending on the activity in which you will be engaged. For example, you wouldn’t want to wear running shoes for playing tennis or basketball. The quick starts and stops of tennis require a shoe that supports and absorbs pressure from side to side, whereas a running shoe has more cushioning on the arch and heel area. Properly fitted shoes make a huge difference in assuring good foot mechanics and can treat and prevent conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, and shin splints.

Walking into a shoe store can be a daunting task, so following these guidelines can help take some of the guesswork out of the decision:

• Choose the shoe based on the activity—Whether you will be participating in sports, running, walking, or doing aerobics, a shoe with the proper structure and flexibility is essential.
• Shop for shoes later in the day—Since your feet tend to swell over the course of the day, shopping for shoes after your feet have reached their maximum size is always a good idea.
• Shoes should fit properly right from the start—Athletic shoes should feel comfortable the moment you put them on, and not require any long break in period. There should be ample room in the toebox and the heel should be nice and snug.
• Narrow your choices—Go to a shoe store with a knowledgeable staff whose members can help you choose the right shoe from the myriad of available options and ensure a proper fit.

A podiatrist can also help you to determine your foot type and specific needs. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.