For those who suffer from this ailment, the problem of choosing the right shoes is very relevant. But, before you start looking for suitable shoes, you need to figure out what kind of pathology it is.
Flatfoot - what is it?
Important! Flatfoot is an understated arch of the foot, which serves as a kind of shock absorber. This softens the load on the knees, ankle, spine, and hip joints when walking.
Otherwise, an uneven impact begins to gradually destroy the entire musculoskeletal system, which negatively affects the work of internal organs . Therefore, it is so important to wear special shoes.
Causes of flat feet
Nowadays, such a curvature is diagnosed in almost half of children, as well as adult men and women .
Among the main causes of the disease, experts call:
wearing low quality shoes:
- physical inactivity;
- overweight;
- high load on the legs.
Women can get deformation of the feet during the period of bearing the child, especially with significant weight gain.
Important! To avoid an unpleasant ailment, often go barefoot, choosing an uneven surface covered with sand, grass, small pebbles.
What shoes contribute to the development of flat feet?
Provokes a weakening of the ligaments that support the arch of the foot:
- shoes that cause inconvenience, large or smaller;
- high thin heel;
- narrow shoes;
- absolutely flat sole of summer slaps or sandals without backs;
- long wearing rubber boots.
Criteria for choosing shoes with flat feet
It’s easy to choose comfortable shoes guided by general criteria:
- Heel with a height of not more than 4 cm, ideally - from 5 to 10 mm.
- Smooth transition in height from the middle of the arch to the heel.
Important! The sole should not be flat. A small heel is required.
- Narrow rubbing shoes are not for you.
- The material for the manufacture of shoes is natural or high-quality substitute, well permeable to air.
- The size is precisely adjusted: the foot is not compressed and is not, as they say, “in free flight”.
- The sole is of medium stiffness, but should not bend too easily.
At the first and second stages, models with the most suitable characteristics should be worn:
- low, wide heel (for stability and proper fit of the heel);
- hard back;
- flexible sole with instep support;
- the toe is rounded or has the shape of a square.
In the third stage, you can not do without consulting a doctor. Otherwise, bone deformation can be obtained.
For women
The female half of humanity is a special group where the risk of developing such an ailment is many times increased. This is due to their commitment to fashion that dictates high heels. Nevertheless, health is more expensive, and do not forget about it.
With the development of flat feet, women and girls should opt for soft shoes . Their optimal characteristics:
- heel up to 5 cm;
- average completeness;
- sustainability;
- tight backdrop;
- lack of any seams from the inside.
For men
Summer and demi-season shoes should have an elastic sole, a hard back for unloading the feet and support for the heel.
Orthopedists recommend the stronger sex:
- choose a tight lacing, fixing the foot;
- the front cape is wide, not compressing fingers;
- exact size selection;
- wearing special shock absorbing insoles.
Orthopedic shoes
Medical models should be worn immediately, as soon as a medical diagnosis is made, in accordance with the degree of the disease. In appearance, shoes for correction are not much different from ordinary ones.
If the deformation is just beginning, then, most likely, it will be possible to do with insoles or inserts . With a more running version, you will have to order special shoes.
Features of corrective shoes (arch support)
These shoes are sewn from natural raw materials. Moreover, the middle is fixed with stabilizers, and the heel with a tight backdrop. An arch support is used to support the arch of the foot.
Such shoes in itself already heals flat feet, inhibits the development of deformation processes, brings the feet to a normal position, ensuring that they relieve stress when walking.
On a note! Orthopedic shoes should not slip. A rigid structure called the Thomas Heel protects the heel from falling into the heel.
Inserts and Inserts
They are used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises, when only the very first signs of the disease are visible. If necessary, they can be ordered, but two standard models are also available:
- VP-1 - has a hard underwater protrusion;
- VP-2 - equipped with a recess, a longitudinal arch under the heel and arch support.
Experts still prefer to work with these products, made by individual standards.
What shoes can not be worn with flat feet?
Orthopedists categorically against a number of those models in which:
- The sole is thick and practically does not bend (there is no uniformity of load, so the muscles and ligaments weaken).
- The heel is too high (due to the fact that the center of gravity is shifted to the base of the fingers, it is possible to develop deformity of the thumb like a valgus and the appearance of a bone growth there).
- A solid sole in the form of a wedge or on a high platform (reduced stability, an obstacle to bending the foot).
- Narrow, tight shoes (the musculoskeletal system is not involved in walking, gradually weakens and ceases to fulfill its function).
Thus, like any other disease, flatfoot needs prevention and prevention. It is not so difficult. You just need to use comfortable, convenient shoes every day, and leave models on the hairpin for special occasions.
Also, men and women should never forget practicality. Although in the modern world flat feet is not a reason to wear only “grandmother's” shoes. Fashion magazines are full of models that fully comply with all the requirements stated here.
