Footwear Assessment

Footwear is essential to maintaining optimal foot health and preventing various foot-related conditions. That’s why we offer thorough and comprehensive footwear assessments to help patients choose the right shoes to fit both the foot type and activity level.

Our team of experienced podiatrists is dedicated to helping patients find the right shoes that not only feel comfortable but also promote proper foot function and prevent foot-related conditions.

Whether for professional athletes or simply someone looking for comfortable shoes for everyday wear, we’re here to help. Our goal is to ensure that everyone wears footwear that offers the right support, cushioning, and stability to keep the feet healthy and pain-free.

During a footwear assessment we will conduct a detailed examination of the feet and assess gait and biomechanics to identify any potential issues. We’ll also take into consideration any pre-existing foot conditions and provide recommendations on the best types of shoes for each patient’s specific needs.

If not fitted properly, shoes can cause various issues with the feet:

• Bunions form over time
• Pressure from shoes that are too tight cause ingrown toenails
• Calluses develop because there’s not enough cushioning or padding
• Corns are caused by shoes that are pointy at the toe and tight, causing them to rub on the little toes.

Having shoes that fit well is very important in young children as their feet must have enough room to move and develop naturally. Shoes that are too tight can restrict growth and the natural development of the feet. 

Top tip – Encourage bare feet wherever possible!

Choosing the right shoes for the right occasion will also prevent discomfort and injury. Even wearing activity-specific footwear is crucial – cricket shoes for cricket, netball shoes for netball, tennis shoes for tennis and so on. The characteristics of these shoes make them appropriate for those particular sports. Wearing the same shoes for all sports will cause them to wear out more quickly and not support the feet properly during the particular activity.

What Are The Ideal Properties of a Shoe?

The ideal shoe should provide ample support, cushioning, and stability for the feet. The shoe should also fit the foot type and be suitable for the activity. Some people might need cushioning, some arch support, and others a stiffer or more flexible sole.

The most important indicator of a shoe that fits well is comfort. If the shoes are comfortable then that’s the best way to guarantee that it is wide enough and long enough to fit the foot in easily. Often we see patients wearing shows that are too narrow or small and this puts pressure on toes and nails and can cause pressure sores.

When choosing a shoe, consider the following factors:

• Proper fit: shoes should fit snugly but not be too tight, as this can lead to blisters and calluses. They should have enough room in the toe box to allow the toes to move freely.
  Top tip – Don’t always automatically choose the same size – a person’s usual size in one brand might be very different in another. So it’s important to try them on in the store before making a purchase.
• Arch support: the foot is designed to absorb shock. The ideal shoe should have proper arch support to reduce stress put on the feet during walking, running and usual daily activities.
• Cushioning: shoes should have enough cushioning to absorb the impact of the feet hitting the ground.
  Top tip – incidental journeys in uncomfortable shoes can cause pain and discomfort. If dress shoes are necessary for work, we advise patients to consider wearing something more supportive during the commute.

• Breathability: shoes should allow air to circulate to keep the feet cool and dry.
• Stability: certain feet require shoes that have a firm sole to provide stability for the feet. 

What to Expect During a Footwear Assessment?

During a footwear assessment, our podiatrists will conduct a thorough examination of a patient’s feet to identify any potential issues. We’ll start by asking about lifestyle, activity level, and any pre-existing foot conditions. We’ll also evaluate the foot shape, arch type, gait and biomechanics to determine how the feet move, if there are any abnormalities.

We’ll also evaluate the shoes to see if they’re providing the right amount of support, cushioning, and stability for the feet. If necessary, we’ll provide recommendations on the best type of shoes for a particular patient’s needs. If a patient already has pain, discomfort or an injury then often one of the best treatment tools we have is to make footwear recommendations. Shoes are one of the most effective ways to treat and manage load.

Here’s the process for having a footwear assessment at one of our clinics:

• Booking – make an appointment at any one of our clinics, asking for a footwear assessment.
• Footwear assessment – bring along a range of shoes that you wear regularly. We run through features of each and point out things that might need addressing. We assess all types of shoes:
  • Athletic shoes
  • Work shoes
  • Everyday shoes

Bring any orthotics along too so that we can assess movement both with and without the orthotics.

• Foot, shoe and walking assessment – using a treadmill, plantar pressure mat and our gait analysis tools we’ll assess your posture and movement and well as your foot type. We’ll ask about your lifestyle and activities and any prior injuries you’ve had.
• Lastly, we’ll provide recommendations and a treatment plan.

There are a number of things we can do on site if we see that the shoes are the cause of the issues:

• Stretch the leather to make tight spots a bit more accommodating for the feet
• Extra cushioning in specific areas:
  • Arch support padding in the shoes
  • Padding to offload pressure in shoes under the insole
  • A heel raise in the shoe to make the shoe softer at the heel.
• Lacing techniques to make sports shoes fit and support the foot better

After the initial consultation, patients will be booked in for a follow up to monitor the changes which are recommended and make any further adjustments to ensure good foot health.

If a different type of shoe is required then our treatment plan will include a referral to a specialist orthopedic footwear store or running store. We also hold a certain amount of stock in our clinics which are available to patients during their appointment. In some cases, we may also recommend custom orthotics to help correct any biomechanical issues or provide additional support and cushioning for the feet.