Have you ever had questions about shoes, footwear, or foot care? We know you do, and we want to help answer your questions!
Here are some commonly asked questions we get and the answers from our fit specialists and Certified Canadian Pedorthists:
Q: How often should I get my feet measured when buying shoes?
A: Every time! Your feet are always changing and if you only buy shoes once or twice a year, it's very possible that your feet have changed over time. You want to make sure you have the right fit to avoid rubbing, blisters, ingrown nails or swollen feet.
Q: I've noticed my feet are swollen when I walk for long periods of time. Is this normal?
A: That's something that should be looked at. It could be related to diabetes, arthritis, or poor circulation. They're could be rubbing inside the shoe along the sides or even at the end of the shoe, so the shoe being too short. Compression stockings may help as well.
Q: What kind of socks should I wear to keep my feet warm outside in the winter?
A: Any kind of sock made of acrylic, polypropylene, and wool. These will keep your feet dry and warm. Avoid things like cotton that cause your feet to become wet once they start sweating.
Q: How do I know if I need insoles or orthotics?
A: You would need a referral from a physician or podiatrist. We do a full proper assessment; check range of motion, and watch the patient walk to determine whether the patient requires custom made orthotics. Sometimes an off the shelf insole is all a patient might need.
Q: If I have orthotics, how often should I be replacing them?
A: It depends on body weight, medical conditions like diabetes or arthritis that's definitely going to determine how often people should replace orthotics. But general rule of thumb is every 3-5 years orthotics should be replaced.
Q: I have a bigger shoe size (13 women's). Can I find shoes in your store?
A: Of course! We carry up to a size 17 and we have multiple widths in our shoes. Come into our store to check out our selection.
Q: How often should I replace my running shoes? I'm a pretty active runner about 5-7 km four times a week.
A: Statistics show us that 350 to 400 hours is the maximum time and then runners start to lose their integrity. So this depends on how often/how long you run for. If you're a frequent runner, you might look at buying 1-3 pairs of runners per year.
Q: I have very flat feet. Do I need to be wearing insoles or orthotics to prevent problems later in life?
A: Orthotics would probably benefit somebody with flat feet. Not everyone with flat feet requires custom orthotics. If you're having foot pain or discomfort in your feet arches, knees, lower back definitely a custom orthotic would benefit a patient with flat feet.
Thank-you all for your questions! Of course if you have any other questions anytime, feel free to stop by any of our three locations or call our Foothealth Centre! We are happy to help you and fit you anytime!
