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Newsletter ( 1 2 3 4 )
Active Women’s Feet
There is an urgent need for women to pay more attention to foot care. In today’s society many women find themselves not only holding down a full-time job, but also still doing all of the childcare and daily household chores that were central to their once-traditional roles of homemaker and mother. Due to this busy lifestyle, women are on their feet most of the day. The footwear that some feel obliged to wear in the workplace only worsens this dilemma.
 High Heels: Use and Abuse
Many women invite foot problems by wearing high heeled shoes. High heels, which are generally defined as pumps with heels of more than two inches, are described by podiatric specialists as being biomechanically and orthopedically unsound. High heeled shoes contribute to a variety of problems, including knee and back troubles, injuries from falls, and shortened calf muscles.
To relieve some of the abusive effects of high heels, women can:
· Limit the time they wear heels, alternating with good-quality flat shoes for part of the day
· Buy shoes in the afternoon to ensure proper fit, since feet tend to increase in size later in the day
· Visit their podiatric specialist regularly to maintain proper foot health
The Best Shoe
The best shoe for women, from an orthopedic point of view, is a walking shoe with ties, a Vibram type composition sole, and a wide heel that is no more than a half or three-quarters of an inch in height.
What About Stockings?
Stockings, especially support hose and inexpensive nylon pantyhose, are known to cause foot problems. Nylon, which is a fabric that doesn’t breathe, generates heat that causes excessive perspiration. This creates a warm, damp area that leads to fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Support hose is worse for the feet, as it is much tighter than regular pantyhose.
Inexpensive nylon pantyhose can cause forefoot problems, as the stretch mechanism constricts the normal expansion of the foot when walking and may pull the toes backward when the pantyhose ride up. The cramping and pressure of the hose can contribute to ingrown toenails and hammertoes. It is much better to invest in good-quality nylon pantyhose that fit properly, as the better the fit, the less likely that cramping will occur.
 Pregnancy
The bodily changes that women experience during pregnancy also affect their feet. These changes include:
· More than ordinary swelling of the feet and ankles.
· The release of hormones that enhance laxity in ligaments, contributing to foot strain.
· Additional body weight, which calls for more supportive footwear.
Pregnant women need to observe good foot health to prevent pain and discomfort. If problems develop, they should see a podiatric specialist.
Women Over 65
Older women have more trouble with their feet than younger women. To alleviate the foot pain and discomfort often experienced by women over 65, they can look for shoes that:
· Fit properly
· Provide cushioning
· Have a soft, flexible upper that will conform to the shape of their feet
· Are breathable
· Have lightweight soles
· Are shock-absorbing
· Have a low heel
· Are flexible
Women’s Foot Afflictions
Some foot afflictions common to women are:
· Achilles tendonitis
· Bunions
· Hammertoe
· Metatarsalgia
· Neuromas
· Plantar fasciitis
· Pump bump (Haglund’s deformity)
Your podiatric specialist has been trained extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all manners of foot conditions. Possible treatments include footwear advice and modifications, pain free laser application, orthotics, and surgery.
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All Content Copyrighted © by Step By Step Foot Care 2006
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