It appears that the spring weather is finally here to stay, and if you’re like most people, you may be looking to do a little spring cleaning in or around your house. If clearing the gutters or cleaning out the garage seems like too daunting of a task, consider taking on a smaller challenge by cleaning out your shoe closet. Take a look at all your shoes and figure out which ones you and your feet could live without, especially if the current form of the shoe could be putting your foot at risk for injury. In today’s blog, we share some tips for cleaning out your shoe closet.
Cleaning Out Your Shoe Closet
If you’re hoping to clear out some room in your shoe closet or make room for new arrivals, take a closer look at your shoes to see if they have any of these issues that could cause problems for your feet.
1. Worn Down – If you have any shoes that are showing significant signs of wear and tear, it’s time to move on from them. Worn down shoes may no longer be offering the right type of support and comfort to your foot, which could lead to arch or toe issues. Worn shoes can also increase your risk of a fall if there is little tread left on the bottom. If they served you well but no longer can provide protection or support to your foot, get rid of them this spring.
2. Narrow Toes – If you have any shoes that have a very narrow toe box, consider getting rid of them or donating them. Narrow-toed shoes put abnormal strain on your toe box, which can contribute to bunions, mallet toes and hammertoes. If you’re going to hold onto these shoes, be sure to wear them sparingly and spend more time in shoes with a wider toe box that allow your toes to comfortably lay flat.
3. High Heels – Again, we don’t expect you to toss out all of your high heels, but if you have some shoes with an extremely elevated heel that you don’t really wear any more, consider moving on from them. Shoes with an elevated heel put an excessive amount of stress on your forefoot and toes, which can lead to a number of different arch and toe joint problems. Wearing high heels on occasion likely won’t do irreparable harm to your feet, but making them a regular part of your wardrobe might. Cut down on how often you wear high heels, and your feet with thank you for it.
Once you’ve cut down on a few pairs, make it a point to organize your shoe closet so that you can always find the right pair for the activity you’ll be pursuing. Many foot injuries occur because people wore the wrong shoe for the tasks they would be performing. If you’ll be on your feet for an extended period or participating in athletics, make sure that your comfortable shoes and your cleats will be easy to find. Keep shoes that are needed for certain activities, like hiking or winter walking, so that you can protect your feet no matter the activities you pursue.
If an injury does end up developing, don’t just hope it will heal on its own. Connect with a foot and ankle specialist who can help put your issue in the past. For more information, or for help with a different foot issue, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
