Huron-Perth Boomers Summer 2024

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
by Brandon Wittig and Cai Wilson
pressure or friction. Canadian certified pedorthists
are biomechanical specialists who will watch you
walk and examine your footwear. They will ensure
that your feet are supported, and shoes fit well,
without any problem areas. They can even craft a
custom-made orthotic to take pressure off of hot
spots, preventing wound development or helping to
heal an existing wound.
They recommend footwear best suited to the foot
shape, width and function.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing the right
shoe for your feet:
• A properly-fitted shoe should have extra space in
both width and length. Aim for a fingernail’s
width of extra space at the end of the toe box
with no pressure on the foot from the sides.
• There should be no pressure on the top of your
foot or toes, caused by the shoe.
• Use a rocker sole. This upwards curvature in the
sole helps to get you off of your foot faster during
gait and reduces pressure on the toe joints, as
well as bottom of your forefoot.
Tips for maintaining foot health include:
• Inspect your feet daily for scratches, blisters,
redness, hot spots or any draining liquid. Look at
the bottom of your feet and in between the toes.
Use a mirror or have someone else look for you.
• Always wear something on your feet for
protection, such as indoor footwear.
• Wearing light-coloured socks will make it easier
to see blood or pus if an injury does occur.
• Ensure your shoes are empty before wearing
them (small toys, thumb tacks, or small stones can
find their way into your shoes, and if diabetes has
affected your nerves, you may not sense that they
are present)
• Buy shoes later in the day as swelling can
accumulate as the day progresses making feet
bigger.
• Avoid smoking as it can decrease circulation to
the legs and feet.