🥿 Choosing the Right Footwear: How Your Shoes Could Be Causing You Pain

If you’ve ever ended the day with sore heels, aching arches, or painful knees, your shoes might be to blame. Many people—especially after the age of 40—don’t realise that what they wear on their feet every day could be silently damaging their joints.

Let’s explore how your shoes affect your orthopaedic health, and how you can make smarter choices to stay pain-free.

👣 Your Feet Are the Foundation of Your Body

Your feet carry your entire body weight, absorb shock, and help you move efficiently. If your footwear doesn’t support your feet properly, that stress travels upward—impacting your ankles, knees, hips, and even your lower back.

In fact, many people who come in with chronic heel pain, knee pain, or back stiffness often get relief just by changing their shoes!

🚩 Signs Your Footwear May Be a Problem

You may want to reconsider your current footwear if:

• You feel heel pain, especially in the morning (possible plantar fasciitis).

• Your knees hurt after walking or standing for long hours.

• You feel pain or burning in the ball of your foot.

• Your shoes are worn out unevenly—one side of the sole is thinner.

• You’ve had corns, calluses, or bunions developing over time.

👟 What to Look for in Good Daily Footwear

Here’s what I recommend to most patients looking for comfortable, orthopaedic-friendly shoes:

✅ 1. Arch Support

Shoes should support the natural arch of your foot. Flat slippers or sandals offer no support and can strain the arch, leading to heel or ankle pain.

✅ 2. Shock Absorption

Good footwear cushions your step and reduces impact on your joints. Look for slightly cushioned soles—especially if you walk on hard surfaces.

✅ 3. Proper Fit

Don’t squeeze into tight shoes or let your heel slip out while walking. Shoes should have room for your toes to move without being too loose.

✅ 4. Sturdy Heel Counter

The back of the shoe (that hugs your heel) should be firm and supportive, not soft or wobbly.

✅ 5. Non-Slip Soles

Especially important for older adults to prevent falls. Choose soles with grip.

🪷 Common Footwear Mistakes in India

Many of us are used to wearing:

• Flat slippers (chappals) that offer no arch support.

• High heels or narrow shoes that deform the natural shape of the foot.

• Very soft, cushioned shoes that feel nice initially but don’t provide any structural support.

Wearing these for long periods can silently damage your feet and lead to long-term problems.

👴 Special Tips for Age 40 and Above

• If you’re walking for exercise, invest in proper walking shoes—not your everyday sandals.

• If you’re diabetic, wear shoes with soft inner linings and no sharp seams to prevent foot ulcers.

• Consider using custom insoles or orthotic inserts if you have flat feet, high arches, or foot pain.

• Don’t wait till your shoes look damaged—change them every 8–12 months depending on usage.

🩺 When to See a Doctor

If you’ve switched shoes but still experience:

• Heel or arch pain in the morning

• Pain that increases after walking or standing

• Numbness or tingling in the feet

• Swelling or pain that doesn’t settle

It’s time to visit a specialist. These could be signs of plantar fasciitis, nerve compression, arthritis, or a structural problem in your foot.

🏁 Final Word

Good footwear is not a luxury—it’s a daily investment in your joint health. Just like you wouldn't sleep on a broken bed, don’t walk in worn-out or unsupportive shoes.

Your feet take you everywhere. Make sure they’re supported—literally—every step of the way.