Top Shoe List

How Do Your Feet Feel At the End of the Day?

Unless you can answer that question with a smile on your face, your feet need help! One in Six people suffer from a foot problem. That could be a foot problem caused by chronic disease like diabetes or arthritis, leg length discrepancy, a sports injury, or a common condition like heel pain, flat feet or Achilles tendonitis. Whatever the cause, you don't have to live with the pain

Several times per year our staff and doctor visit shoe retailers and evaluate the shoes currently available on the market. The shoes we evaluate include walking, running, training, dress, casual, sandals and slippers. We then compile a list of the best shoes for your feet for children and adults. To get the most recent list of what shoes made our 'top list', subscribe today and receive the most updated list by e-mail within 24 hours. Once you register you will subsequently receive by e-mail our updated list throughout the year and our e-newsletter.

The 'Top Shoes' List has many of the best shoes that we have found on the market. Proper footwear is an integral part of any comprehensive foot care plan. In fact, the success of any treatment plan your doctor may prescribe can be enhanced or undermined by your choice of shoes. The Step Alive Shoes staff, trained in foot pathology and properly fitting shoes, created this list to help you make choices that will support your foot care plan. We know that your time is valuable so our hope is that this list will guide you as you shop for shoes and make the experience enjoyable. Our 'Top Shoes' List is only a tool and individual needs may vary. For expert fitting, make an appointment at our Step Alive Shoes store within the Advanced Footcare Clinic and we will make sure you get the best shoe for your particular foot needs.

The Importance of Properly Fitted Shoes
A properly fitted, supportive shoe offers increased stability and can put your feet in balance which in turn improves the alignment of the rest of your body. A stable shoe should allow the foot to function in a more normal manner and help the foot perform its natural job of absorbing shock. 90% of all people are wearing improperly fitted shoes! Most foot problems are caused or aggravated by improperly fitted shoes. Shoes are an integral part of treating nearly all foot complaints and we believe everyone should be evaluated to determine the proper shoe for their foot. The Step Alive Shoes staff is trained and certified to determine the proper shoes for each patient by evaluating the patient's foot shape, size, biomechanics, symptoms, activities, weight and other factors. We recommend the best shoes for the individual and guarantee our fit!

Our 'Top Shoes' List can help:
-People interested in preventative health.
-Baby boomers and up as their feet tend to expand and broaden with age.
-Athletes who put extra demands on their feet.
-Pregnant women whose feet are affected by weight gain.
-People with both high and low arches.
-Anyone experiencing foot pain.
-People who stand or are active on their feet for a significant portion of the day

Stable Shoe features:
To meet our high standards at the Advanced Footcare Clinic and our Step Alive Shoes staff, a shoe must meet the following criteria:
-Torsional Stability (Forefoot does not twist easily on the rearfoot)
-Firm Heel Counter
-Firm Medial (inside) Midsole
-Removable Insole

As a subscriber to our 'Top Shoes' List, you will be notified by e-mail when the list is updated. We update the list 4 times throughout the year.

Visit our website at http://www.vailfoot.com/ to learn more about all your footcare needs. If you would like more information about our Top Shoes List or to register for this free service, visit: http://www.vailfoot.com/top-shoes-list.html

Step Alive Shoes

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Stop by our office or our website for all your winter shoes needs.

Shoe Care

Shoes can be fun. They reflect your style and help you vary your outfits. And shoes have so many purposes. Some are for dancing, some for running, and some are attractive. No matter what the use your shoe may have, you want them to last so you can wear them over and over. Although you should replace shoes when they are worn out, you can get a little extra mileage out of them. Keep in mind that shoes which do not offer the appropriate support may be harmful to your foot health. But here are some tips for keeping your shoes in good shape just a little bit longer.

1. Always unlace your shoes. When you leave your shoes tied and slip them on and off, you most likely are bending the support around the ankle. The rigidity in this part of the shoe is important to support your ankle and heel. Bending it outwards when taking the shoe off, or smashing it down when sliding into shoes makes the shoes lose this support faster. This is especially important in athletic shoes which are supporting your feet during activity.

2. Add new insoles. Insoles sometimes wear out before the outside of a shoe does. When this happens, you can extend the life of your shoe by adding new ones. For some people, this is a matter of comfort as they want more padding in an already supportive shoe which has lost its original padding. For others, adding an insole is a matter of support, as they need orthotics to correct misalignments in their feet.

3. Clean your shoes. There are many products for cleaning all kinds of shoes, from leather dress shoes, to mesh athletic shoes, or even hiking or snow boots. If your shoes still have good support but are looking a little dingy, cleaning them restores that new look to your shoes. You can unlace the shoes and wash dirty shoelaces, or just replace them with new ones. If a shoestring breaks, replace it promptly. Don't just clean the outside of your shoes, but the inside as well. Spraying your shoes weekly with a disinfectant spray (like Lysol) helps kill bacteria, viruses and fungi in your shoes which cause infections (like toenail fungus and athlete's foot). You can dry your shoes with a hair dryer after spraying them.

4. Polish your shoes. Dress shoes make an impression. When your shoes are getting scuffed and worn, you can restore them to their original look with a little shoe polish. Match the polish and your shoe color and take your time to follow the instructions for the polish. Your shoes will not only have the support you require, but will start looking good again. You can even get your shoes polished by someone else as a way to relax in the middle of your day, you just need to know where to look. Machine shoe polishers are also available in certain locations.

5. Treat your shoes. There are many products available to seal shoes against weather. This will not only benefit outdoor shoes like hiking boots, but athletic, casual, and dress shoes as well. You will inevitably get caught in the rain in Italian leather dress oxfords or your favorite pair of designer pumps. Being prepared for this with a pretreatment can save your shoes from damage (and you some money if they are expensive shoes).

6. Rotate shoes. Wearing one pair of shoes every day has a lot of disadvantages. First of all, your shoes need time to air out and dry between wears. alternate shoes at least every other day. This alternation will also spread wear amongst many pairs of shoes, making them all last longer. You should also match your shoes to their activity. Your dress shoes aren't built to withstand muddy hikes or shoveling snow. Keep in mind that picking the appropriate shoe is not only good for you, but your shoes as well.

7. Store your shoes correctly. Keep them on a rack or other storage system. If your shoes get covered in heavy objects, they can lose their structure and become weakened. You should store off-season shoes in a plastic bin with a lid to avoid moisture getting to your shoes while they are in store and ruining them.

Keep Mindful of Your Feet...even while exercising indoors...

Sports activities are an exciting and healthy part of life. However, sports that include jarring starts and stops, or sports that are performed on uneven surfaces, often lead to heel pain. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) in cooperation with the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM) offer five sports most likely to contribute to heel pain and steps you can take to prevent it from occurring.

Running
Pain in the arch and bottom of the heel can be caused by both short and long distance running. Choose the correct shoe for running, short or long distances, this can prevent most pain. Over-the-counter insoles can sometimes help to relieve pain by providing cushion and shock absorption. Custom orthotics can also help many runners. Replace worn shoes every 350-500 miles.

Walking & Hiking
Walking and hiking may irritate a Haglund’s deformity, which is a bump on the back of the heel bone where the Achilles tendon attaches. It can become larger or inflamed over time. Wearing shoes or boots with stiff heel counters can irritate the heel bone, especially on steep climbs. Selecting a shoe with a lower or softer heel counter may relieve pain.Using heel lifts and custom orthotics can reposition the heel and reduce irritation.

Kickboxing & Aerobics
Acute or traumatic pain in the arch of the foot and bottom of the heel can develop due to the high impact of these activities. Stretch the Achilles tendon both before and after activity. Consult a podiatrist immediately if sudden heel, arch or ankle pain is experienced.

Tennis
Tennis may cause pain on the outer sides of the heel due to body positioning during play. Increase stretching at the first signs of heel pain, making sure to include the hamstrings. Insoles and custom-molded orthotic devices available from a podiatrist can often help heel pain.

Basketball
Basketball, as well as other jarring sports, can cause stress fractures and pain on the bottom, back and sides of the heel. High-top shoes can help to keep the foot stable. Stretch the entire leg and foot before playing. Heel lifts and custom foot orthotics can prevent pain and provide relief.

Contact Dr. Vail if you experience any of these problems this winter! 419-423-1888

Keep Shopping!!!

Lots of holiday shopping usually means lots of walking, sometimes running and it can all add up to painful feet! A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) shows the number one way women (Hey! Men Shop Too!) soothe their soles during the holiday madness is by moisturizing their feet. Stretching and massaging the feet are also on the list of favorite foot fixes. APMA offers a few more ways to keep your feet merry this holiday season:

Point Your Toes – Avoid toe cramping by raising, pointing and curling your toes for five seconds each and repeat 10 times. You won’t even break a sweat!

Massage Your Feet – Women (and men) like it because it works! Release tension, increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin after a long day on your feet. Get out the lotion and rub those toes!

Elevate Your Legs – Reduce swelling by lying down and lifting legs above your heart.Rotate Your Ankles – Relax your feet by rotating your ankles, cupping your heel and turning each ankle slowly five times. This loosens the ankle joints.

Wear Smart Shoes – No high heels! (Or flip-flops, or sandals...) If you know you will be onyour feet all day, wear comfortable shoes with arch support and a padded sole.

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment. Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

New Shoe

Natural Step has come out with a new style, tie or Velcro with nubuck leather. A fashionable, casual style that looks good with jeans or khakis and is available now to order. It's even billable through our Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program. Click this link to view all our shoe vendors: http://www.vailfoot.com/step-alive-shoes.html.

A Great Stocking Stuffer!

At The Advanced Footcare Clinic, we offer the highest quality products for all our patients. One such item that we offer is Dr. Comfort Diabetic Socks. These socks would be a perfect match for your diabetic shoes! Available to you are several styles to meet your footcare needs:Nano Bamboo Charcoal Fibers Seamless Diabetic Socks - A superior sock designed to keep feet dry; smooth seam construction; non-binding; ball and heel padding; anti-microbial odor control; superior breathability. These socks are available for both men and women in various sizes and styles - Merry Jane, Ankle Length, and Crew Length.Extra Roomy Seamless Edema Socks - A superior comfort sock designed to be extra roomy for enlarged feet and legs. These socks are available for both men and women in various sizes.

Please call for an appointment or stop by the office to check out our large selection of socks, shoes, and other footcare products.

www.vailfoot.com
419-423-1888

Mall Walking, Anyone?

Walking Footwear: Comfort and Fit

Choose a good quality, lightweight walking shoe with breathable upper materials, such as leather or nylon mesh. The heel counter should be very firm; the heel should have reduced cushioning to position the heel closer to the ground for walking stability. The front or forefoot area of the shoe should have adequate support and flexibility.Fit is very important. Have both shoes fitted for length and width with the socks you'll be using. (Do this late in the afternoon, since your feet do swell enough during the day to affect your shoe size.) Make sure the shoe is snug but not too tight over the sock. The shoe should have plenty of room for the toes to move around.Your choice of athletic socks is also important. Sports podiatrists frequently recommend appropriately padded socks of acrylic fiber. Acrylic fibers tend to "wick" away excessive perspiration, which active feet can produce from 250,000 sweat glands at a rate of four to six ounces a day, or even more.

Please contact Dr. Vail's office for further assistance with your footcare needs!

http://www.vailfoot.com/