Healthy feet: What you should know about podiatry

Orthotics (shoe inserts) can solve many foot problems, especially in children.
Orthotics help correct an abnormal gait by altering the alignment between the foot and the lower leg. These shoe inserts are used to treat such problems as plantar fasciitis (an inflammation of the long band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot resulting in arch and heel pain), heel spurs and overpronation (in which the foot rolls inward too much when walking). They also prevent problems affecting other areas of the body, such as "runner's knee" (pain beneath or on the sides of the kneecap caused by wear and tear on the cartilage under it). Orthotics may also correct flat feet in young children. Either custom-made or bought over-the-counter in a drugstore, orthotics may be rigid, semirigid or soft. If custom-made, they are usually made from a mould of the person's foot.

Basic foot care tips:
• Inspect your feet regularly. Discoloured or thickened nails may be a sign of a fungal infection, while peeling or scaling on the soles of the feet might signal athlete's foot.

• Wash feet regularly and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.

• Trim toenails straight across, not too short and not in corners or on the sides, to prevent ingrown toenails.

• Make sure shoes fit properly. Buy new ones later in the day when feet are at their largest.

• Avoid high heels; they contribute to knee and back problems and may cause structural changes in feet that make walking permanently painful. If you must wear high heels, alternate them with more comfortable flats.

• Avoid wearing panty hose for lengthy periods; your feet may get overheated, which encourages fungal infections.

• Don't wear the same shoes every day so they get a chance to air out, and don't wear shoes beyond their "shelf life," when they no longer provide optimal cushioning and support.

Click here for expert advice on buying the perfect shoe for your foot.

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