Podiatrist, coach and triathlete
Comfy feet are happy feet
How much time do you spend in your running shoes each week? And how much time do you spend in work shoes, casual shoes and barefoot?
When assessing and treating running injuries, optimising comfort and function in your running shoes is often a key component of the resolution. However, a majority of runners will only spend 2-10hours per week training and wearing their running footwear, and comparatively will work 40+ hours, walking many incidental km’s wearing inappropriate footwear or being barefoot at home.
Together with your podiatrist, you should consider your everyday footwear choices. Simple changes can make a big difference to improving injury symptoms and prognosis.
Many different instances of forefoot pain can be more effectively managed with sensible footwear. Below are a list of common injuries with tips on footwear choice to help you manage pain during your day to day life.
Common injuries and footwear choice tips
Inflammatory injuries
Inflammatory injuries such as bursitis are aggravated by increased plantar pressure, so it’s important to avoid being barefoot and ensure shoes are soft, cushioned. Running shoes and Oofos thongs are great choices.
Neuroma injuries (eg: pins and needles)
A spacious and non-restrictive fit is essential for relieving neuritis issues and Neuroma because tight-fitting shoes will increase pressure to the inter-digital nerves and aggravate symptoms. Footwear should not have any tight straps or lacing across the broadest part of the foot.
Bone stress
Bone stress to the metatarsals should be offloaded with correctly positioned support, and in some instances a specific boot. Alternatively, footwear choices should be as rigid as possible to prevent excessive flexion and torsional strain.
Forefoot pain
High heels are a particularly damaging choice for all instances of forefoot pain because they significantly increase force and load through the forefoot, so should be avoided when possible.
Remember – comfortable feet are happy feet! If you have a running injury that is causing you pain in your day to day life, make an appointment to see a podiatrist at intraining Running Injury Clinic. Interested in reading more articles written by our running injury expert clinicians? Click here to read more ‘From the Sole’
