Choosing the right running shoes is vital for optimizing performance and preventing foot injuries from different types of running. For long-distance running, prioritizing cushioning and support is key to absorbing impact and maintaining comfort over extended periods. Look for shoes with ample cushioning in the midsole and a supportive heel counter to minimize fatigue and strain. For trail running, opt for trail running shoes with durable outsoles and enhanced traction to navigate rugged terrain confidently. These shoes often feature protective elements like rock plates to shield your feet from uneven surfaces and debris. For speedwork and races, lightweight and responsive running shoes are ideal to maximize agility and propulsion. Seek out styles with minimal cushioning and a responsive midsole for a more efficient stride. By matching your footwear to the specific demands of your run, you can enhance your performance and enjoyment while minimizing the risk of discomfort or injury. If you have endured a foot injury from running, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat foot pain, and guide you toward choosing the correct running shoes.
If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.
Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.
Measuring your foot correctly ensures a comfortable and supportive fit for your shoes, vital for overall foot health. For accurate measurement, first, measure at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest due to swelling from daily activities. Wear the type of socks you plan to wear with the shoes for precise sizing. Using the tape paper to floor method, stand on a piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot, and then measure the longest distance from heel to toe. If your feet differ in size, always fit the larger foot and consider custom-made inserts for the smaller one. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, blisters, and even long-term foot issues. Signs of a wrong shoe size include pain, rubbing, and difficulty in walking comfortably. If you would like help in determining your correct shoe size, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance.
Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Getting the Right Shoe Size
There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.
When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes
As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.
For individuals with diabetes, the development of gangrene poses serious health risks and requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications. Gangrene results from necrosis, or death of body tissue in the lower legs and feet. Treatment for gangrene in diabetic patients involves a multifaceted approach aimed at halting tissue necrosis, controlling infection, and promoting wound healing. Surgical debridement is essential to remove any dead tissue and prevent further spread. Antibiotic therapy is used for managing bacterial infections associated with gangrene, often administered intravenously for severe cases. Restoring blood flow to the affected area through bypass surgery or angioplasty can help prevent tissue necrosis and reduce the need for amputation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers high-pressure oxygen to promote healing and control infection. Reconstructive surgery with skin grafts may be necessary to restore tissue integrity in extensively damaged areas. In severe cases, amputation may be required to prevent the spread of gangrene and facilitate prosthetic limb fitting. Throughout this treatment journey, podiatrists play a vital role in wound care, offering specialized expertise in diabetic foot care and wound management. If gangrene is a threat, it is suggested that you schedule an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for wound care and a prognosis.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with the foot specialists from Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
Neuropathy is a condition that can lead to numbness or loss of sensation in the feet, but it can also cause pain. This condition is more likely to develop for those who are diabetic, obese, or with high blood pressure.
