Walk a mile in my shoes

Not your mother’s orthopedic shoes, promise the flyers from the alphabet soup shoe store I frequent. How true, they are more like your grandmother’s.

Although there are dozens of different styles of orthopedic shoes, each designed to remedy a different foot problem, few, if any, are fashionable, trendy, or even sporty, despite claims to the contrary. You will not find one stiletto heel, peep-toe pump, or designer high heel sandal among them.

Frumpy is synonymous with “sturdy,” a euphemism for shoes that provide the protection and maximum support those of us with foot problems need. I’m certain that not even the world’s foremost shoe aficionado, Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines, would have made room for these shoes in her collection of 3,000.

Don’t bother looking for the season’s hot, new colors either. In the world of orthopedic shoes, black is it year round, year in and year out. Shoes that come in more than one color add brown, beige, or white — hardly a rainbow of choices, and not at all enticing to those who, like me, who still are inexplicably drawn to a new, 64-box of crayons lined up by color.

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What to look for in orthopedic shoes

• Proper fit is most important. To ensure this, ask the salesperson to measure the length and width of both your feet.
• Firm, low, wide heels allow you to walk naturally without changing your body's center of gravity.
• Wide toe box provides ample room in length, width, and height to give your toes room to move.
• Rigid shanks connecting to the heel cuff properly support your foot.
• Rollbar minimizes turning in or out of your foot.
• Extra depth and removable inner soles make room for custom orthotics.
• Laces or Velcro that can be adjusted to prevent your foot from sliding forward in your shoe.
• The shoe uppers and the inner sole should be leather.
• The sole should have some toe spring to facilitate the normal walking movement of the ankle and foot.
• A rubber outer sole provides shock absorption leather does not, and a good grip that prevents slipping.
• A stiff, thick outer sole offers greater protection from sharp stones and protusions.

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