SHOE WEAR A DETERMINANT OF FOOT TYPE

"To determine your foot type, look at the soles of a pair of worn-in shoes," says Miguel Cunha, DPM. This is because the wear pattern illustrates where you accumulate the most pressure when walking, he explains. People who pronate will notice that their shoes look the most worn on the inside of each shoe. Pronators may also experience pain and injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and inner knee pain, because of the anatomy of your foot, says Dr. Cunha, which is why it's important to make sure you're wearing a shoe that properly supports your feet, or a support shoe.

 

Dr. Miguel Cunha

 

Conversely, if your shoes look more worn-in on the outside, your feet supinate. "People who commonly sprain their ankles or have outer knee pain tend to be supinators because they have higher arches and [their feet] roll outward." And if your shoes are evenly worn, you have a neutral foot type, because your weight distribution is equal across the foot, explains Dr. Cunha. In both these instances, you should look for a neutral or cushioning shoe.

 

Source: Tamara Pridgett, Well + Good [8/13/21]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News