Orthopedic Shoes

If you have swollen, problem-prone feet, you need a good pair of orthopedic shoes. Fortunately, FootSmart - the comfort and foot health expert - has a wide selection of orthopedic shoes to fit your lifestyle. Shop now for orthopedic shoes:

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Women's Orthopedic Shoes
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Men's Orthopedic Shoes
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All Orthopedic Shoes
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Propet Orthopedic Shoes
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Drew Orthopedic Shoes
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OrthoFeet Orthopedic Shoes
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Added Depth Orthopedic Shoes

Know When to Buy an Orthopedic Shoe

* Do you suffer from intense toe pain due to bunions or hammertoes? If so, you could need an orthopedic shoe.
* Do you experience ball-of-foot pain on a regular basis? If so, you may need to abandon those high heels for an orthopedic shoe.
* Do you have corns and calluses on your feet from shoes that don’t fit right? If so, you might want to try wearing an orthopedic shoe.
* Do you have intense heel pain, plantar fasciitis or painful heel spurs? If so, you could need to wear an orthopedic shoe to help relieve the pain.

The bottom line, according to podiatrists at The Podiatry Institute, is that if you have problem feet, then you most likely should be wearing an orthopedic shoe, or at least a shoe that doesn’t put unneeded stress on your feet. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and wearing good shoes – like an orthopedic shoe – can help you live an active, pain-free life.

Many of the conditions described above are due to one thing: poorly fitting and poorly designed shoes. Wearing an orthopedic shoe, then, can help reverse some of these symptoms and keep you moving in comfort.

Now you may have heard the term “orthopedic shoe” again and again, but do you know what constitutes an orthopedic shoe? The Podiatry Institute says that a very good orthopedic shoe will have the following characteristics:

* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a firm heel counter.
* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a wide toe box to give toes the room they need. (An orthopedic shoe will never pinch or scrunch your toes.)
* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a semi-rigid or rigid shank.
* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a removable inner sole.
* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a long vamp.
* Your orthopedic shoe should have… a moderate heel measuring between 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches.
* Your orthopedic shoe should be… roomy – especially if you suffer from diabetes or swollen feet.

Additional characteristics of a good orthopedic shoe include:

* An orthopedic shoe made with hook-and-loop closures can easily adjust to give you a better fit. People with such conditions as bunions and foot swelling like an orthopedic shoe made with hook-and-loop, because it gives their feet extra room to prevent friction.
* An orthopedic shoe with a spandex stretch upper is another good material for shoes made to fit feet with bunions.
* An orthopedic shoe with a padded collar and tongue helps protect sensitive areas, reduce irritation and secure a good fit.
* An orthopedic shoe with a rubber outsole helps prevent slips.
* An orthopedic shoe with interchangeable removable insoles helps control perspiration problems and can accommodate any orthotic devices
* An orthopedic shoe with a plastizote foam lining helps reduce pressure points and provides customized comfort and protection.
* An orthopedic shoe with a flared outsole helps enhance foot stability.
* An orthopedic shoe with a polyurethane rocker sole can help reduce ball-of-foot pain and absorb shock.

If you continue to have problems with your foot conditions, and wearing an orthopedic shoe does not provide any help, you should probably visit a podiatrist to be fitted for custom orthotics. Also, you may want to think about bringing your orthopedic shoes with you so that your doctor can see if you’re wearing the right type of orthopedic shoes.

Information on foot and lower body health conditions and solutions – like wearing an orthopedic shoe – provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.