Make an Easy Transition from Summer to Fall/Winter Shoes
It’s coming. Perhaps it’s already here: the day you say “so long” to your open-toed shoes until the ice melts along Lake Erie’s shores and the trees push out green leaves once again. Believe it or not, the transition from summer sandals and bare feet to autumn shoes, boots, and socks can be rough on your feet. Here’s why:
- Existing foot problems can become aggravated
If you’ve already got a bunion, it can rub against the side of a closed shoe and become inflamed. Similarly, shoes can irritate an existing neuroma in your toes or invite ingrown toenails that had improved over the summer to return. - New problems may crop up
Never had a bunion, neuroma, or ingrown toenail before? Closed shoes that are too tight or too narrow can hasten their arrival. Women who don pumps for work may notice a permanent bump on the back of their heel – “pump bump,” or Haglund’s deformity. If you haven’t worn high heels in a while, it’s possible to teeter and twist an ankle.
The solution, of course, is to wear shoes that fit well and help you walk comfortably. Give your toes enough room so they’re neither squished nor pinched in any way. Examine the heel counters to assure there’s enough padding inside and enough rigidity outside for support. If you can bend shoes in half, they’re not going to give your feet and ankles the support they need.
Remember, also, to take stock of your sock drawer. Toss any socks that are too tight, too loose, or have seams that irritate the skin.
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, and Dr. Jim Swienconek, treat bunions, nerve pain, toe deformities, and other foot and ankle problems that may arise because of your shoes. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
