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Foot Notes

Posts for category: Shoes

By Clark Podiatry Center
February 17, 2020
Category: Shoes
Tags: Foot Health   Foot Care   Best Shoes  

Have you ever wondered about the parts that make up a shoe? Around here, we think it’s important that you become a confident shoe shopper so that you can make the best decisions for the health and comfort of your feet. Let’s talk about the five major components of a shoe and how you can use this information during your next shoe shopping trip. Dr. Brandon A. Macy and his team at Clark Podiatry Center are here to answer your questions.

What are the five major components of a shoe?

  • Toe box
  • Vamp
  • Sole
  • Heel
  • Curve (helps you identify the left shoe from the right)

Does the shoe material matter?

Yes, even this detail matters. The material can play a role in how a shoe fits as well as its durability. Softer materials can lessen the amount of pressure that the shoe places on your foot. Think additional comfort. Stiff materials, however, can cause blisters.

What should I look for in a toe box?

The toe box is the top part of the shoe that offers wiggle room for your toes. Generally, this part is either rounded, pointed, or squared. You will want to look for shoes that provide enough space in the toe box to avoid the pain and discomfort that may be caused by additional friction.

What about the vamp?

It is the part of the shoe where you can typically find shoelaces. Velcro also goes into this area. Based on your comfort level, choose a vamp option that works best for you.

What kind of sole should I get?

A softer sole is better. It means that the sole will be able to absorb more shock as you walk.

Any suggestions on the heel?

Remember, the higher the heel, the greater the pressure on the front of your foot. Keep your heel height low.

Any more questions? Schedule an appointment with a board-certified podiatrist. Dr. Brandon A. Macy of Clark Podiatry Center is at our Clark, New Jersey office. New Jersey’s Children’s Foot Health Institute is a part of the Clark Podiatry Center, too. Call 732-382-3470.

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By Clark Podiatry Center
October 14, 2019
Category: Shoes

One of the most important pieces of equipment an athlete can have is proper footwear. Whether its baseball, basketball, football or soccer or any other sport, wearing the right footwear is key to performance. Choose something that is not fitted properly or suited for your sport and you will have trouble competing.

No matter what sport you compete in, you will want to visit a specialty sport shoe store. There you will have the best of selections in sizes and types. Don’t be afraid to try different styles and brands as each is different. Also, the best time to buy an athletic shoe is at the end of the day as it is for any shoe because your feet are largest then from all the previous day’s activity.

Athletic shoes can be categorized into 3 groups.

  • Running – good arch support, lightness, good traction and stability in the heel
  • Walking – comfortable upper, good cushioning and smooth tread
  • Training- good support in the arches, good traction and light weight

Specific sports like football, soccer or baseball which will have some type of cleat, short or long, attached or detachable, for traction on natural grass or artificial turf. Each surface will require a different type of cleat and therefore different shoe.

Sports like basketball require a sole that can grip a wooden or concrete surface. Most basketball shoes allow for this. Fit is important here as it is for any footwear.  So when visiting the shoe store, always check your size before trying on a shoe. Your toes should have plenty of room to move. Your feet should feel supported, not tight especially with regards to length and width. Also, when fitting your shoe, fit to the largest foot. Oftentimes, it is the left foot that is a little larger than the other, but measure both anyway. When lacing the shoe, lace from the bottom of the foot back, pulling the laces tight as you proceed up the foot. This will make sure your shoe fits snuggly. Also, wear the same type of sock you use when competing.

Need some more help and encouragement in caring for your feet or choosing the right shoes?  Schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that there are no issues making sure that you not only choose the right shoes, but also keep your feet healthy. We are a proud to say that the New Jersey’s Children’s Foot Health Institute is a part of the Clark Podiatry Center. Come see us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!

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By Clark Podiatry Center
February 13, 2019
Category: Shoes
Tags: blisters   calluses   ingrown toenails   overpronation   Running   injury   fit  

Gearing up to participate in a running event is no simple task. If you want to do your best, you’ll want to start training months in advance, especially if you are running a long race. Additionally, you’ll want the best gear to support you and keep you safe from injury.

What gear could we mean? Your running shoes, of course! To keep your feet supported and as comfortable as possible during your training and the actual race, look for the following features when choosing your running shoes:

  • Shoes designed for running – While cross-trainers and other athletic shoes could work, running shoes are designed with running in mind.
  • Fit – Make sure that the shoes fit the feet well. They shouldn’t be too big or too small as that can also cause problems.
  • Lots of cushion – The repetitive impact you encounter while running can impact your feet, ankles, knees, and hips. This can cause pain while you run, which can limit your performance.
  • Arch and heel support – The arches will be working hard to keep your entire foot engaged. If the arches become tired, they may flatten out, which can cause you pain toward the end of your race and for days after. Additionally, the heels need to be planted in heel cups so that they don’t slide about in the shoes, causing instability.
  • Firm heel counter – A firm heel counter will increase support in the shoes. It will help prevent overpronation (straining the arches) and keep the feet stabilized in the shoes.
  • Good outer sole grip – You’ll most likely be running outdoors during these events, so you’ll want shoes that have a good grip on the outer soles. At any point, if there are slippery or slick surfaces, it can create instability for your feet while you run if you don’t have good or enough tread.
  • Breathable material that supports and flexes at appropriate points – When you check the shoes and take it for a test run, make sure that your feet are not overheating. This is a sign that your shoes are not breathable and can cause you to excessively sweat. That will make perfect conditions to cause foot issues like foot odor, blisters, and calluses.

As you prepare, make sure you keep good hygiene, trim your toenails properly (to prevent ingrown toenails), and stretch your feet and ankles before and after each run. If you experience an injury, it’s important to rest and recover, rather than continuing to train on it.

If you experience foot pain while you are training, see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He can assess your feet and find the best treatment for any concern you may have. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you walking (or running!).

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By Clark Podiatry Center
December 11, 2018
Category: Shoes

If you haven’t already, dust off those winter boots! The winter weather can cause quite a chill from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Keeping your feet warm can help warm up the entire body, so why resist wearing those boots?

First things first. How are your old boots?

  • They may only be a year old if you bought them last year, but depending on the quality of their build, they can already be worn down. Check for any signs of problems with structural integrity or worn down insoles. Additionally, check if the outer soles are also in good shape. After all, you want them to be able to help you grip when it’s slippery outside.
  • Even as adults, our feet can change shape or size, so double check that they still fit you well.
  • For children, this is especially true and might need new boots each year. Their feet can keep growing until around 16-20 years of age.

Time for new winter boots?

If your winter boots are worn down or don’t seem to fit correctly (maybe due to worsening bunions), consider buying new shoes for the season. Winter boots may feel like they should just be comfortable and chunky, but without proper support, a day of trudging through the snow can leave you with tired and achy feet, like with plantar fasciitis.

Here’s what to keep in mind when buying new boots for you and your family:

  • Get measured in the afternoon. Just like regular shoes, you’ll want winter boots to fit properly. There’s a good chance your children’s feet have become bigger and won’t fit into last year’s boots.
  • Buy boots with grippy outer soles to help you when you walk over any snow or ice.
  • The inner arch and heel cup will also help stabilize your feet if you encounter slippery conditions.

Finally, make sure you try on your boots with thick socks. As the weather becomes even colder, you might want to layer up. Your boots should have enough room to accommodate thicker socks.

Can’t find boots that fit you well? Do you have a foot deformity or other foot issues? We can help you with custom orthotics. Come to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He can assess your feet, and find a solution to keep your feet comfortable and warm this winter. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you walking. 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
September 12, 2018
Category: Shoes

Did you know that the shoes you wear might be the reason that your bunions are getting worse? Without the proper supportive features, your footwear can be causing your feet to work harder to grip the shoes for stability.

Shoe features to avoid:

  • Pointy shoes – When footwear forces the front of your feet into an unnatural shape, a bony growth (spur) can appear at the side of your big toe joint to support your foot. The big toe begins to turn more toward the smaller toes, instead of pointing straight ahead.
  • Narrow/Tight shoes – When shoes are too tight in the front, and there’s no room to wiggle the toes, they can become very cramped. This also forces the big toe into unnatural positions and can cause irritation to the big toe joint.
  • Thong sandals or flip-flops – When the toes are not encased, they become unstable and can slide around. As the feet work harder to maintain stability and grip harder in flip-flops, bunions can become aggravated. The inflammation and positioning can cause the deformity to worsen over time.
  • High heels – Shoes with high heels can put excessive pressure on the forefoot, especially on the big toe joint. A bony spur can push out to help support that pressure.
  • Flat shoes with no arch support – Those with flat feet or low arches are more likely to put pressure on the big toe joint. If you will be wearing flat shoes, make sure they have arch support or at least an orthotic insert to help with flat feet.

After an assessment by our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy, he might suggest custom orthotics for your shoes. He’ll also recommend shoes with a roomy toe box and good arch and heel support. Read our guidelines about what to look for when purchasing shoes that are healthy for the feet.

Make an appointment with Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He will assess your feet to keep you walking. Our office in Clark, NJ serves the Westfield area and surrounding Union County. 

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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470