The primary purpose of shoes is to protect your feet and prevent injury. In order to do so, shoes must properly fit your feet. Understanding how to make sure shoes fit properly will help you make sensible decisions in purchasing shoes for you and your family.

When selecting shoes, keep this basic principle of good fit in mind-shoes should always conform to the shape of your feet; your feet should never be forced to conform to the shape of a pair of shoes.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons urges you to follow these fitting facts when you purchase a new pair of shoes.

• Have both feet measured every time you purchase shoes. Remember, your foot size increases, as you get older.
  
• Try on both shoes.
  
• Fit new shoes to your largest foot. Most people have one foot larger than the other.
  
• Stand during the fitting process and walk a few steps to make sure the shoes are comfortable. They should not hurt or be too loose. Do not expect shoes to stretch.
  
• There should be 1cm space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
• Your heel should fit snugly in the shoe with no slippage.
• When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes.
• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Judge a shoe by how it fits on your foot not by the marked size.
• Try on new shoes at the end of the day. Your feet normally swell and become larger after standing or sitting during the day.
• Women should not wear a shoe with a heel higher than 4cm.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A SHOE?

HEEL:- In a ideal world the patient should wear a broad based heel with the height no greater then 4cm. However, the size of the heel is often governed by fashion. If you consider that your heel takes your entire body weight during a stage in your waking, then consider the possible complications that can arise due to a large thin heel (i.e. corns), you would be better with a more suitable shoe.

HEEL COUNTER: The heel counter is the portion of the shoe which holds the heel in place at the sides and the back and prevents the foot from sliding around the shoe. This acts as a support to your foot. It helps to stabilize and maintain the position of the heel as the shoe contacts the ground. A stiff heel counter is recommended as a weak heel counter becomes less supportive and may lead to ankle sprains.

SOLE: The bottom of the shoe should be flat and have adequate cushioning.

UPPER: The material that forms the main part of the shoe should ideally be leather have some flexibility to it. Shoes with a very rigid upper may lead to corns on the feet.

LINING: This is found inside the shoe and should be soft and without seams. If there are protruding seams present it can lead to cuts and infections of the feet.

FASTENINGS: The fastenings hold the foot in the shoe. All shoes should have laces, straps, buckles or Velcro. Patients who wear slip on shoes are usually wearing shoes that are too small from them and are more inclined to ankle sprains.

SHOE BUYING TIPS

• Stand barefoot on a piece of cardboard and draw around your foot. Cut the piece of cardboard out and insert it into the shoe which you wish to purchase. Their should be 1cm between the end of the cardboard and the heel counter of the shoe. The width of the foot should correspond with the largest part of the foot.
• Always purchase shoes from a shop with a large selection of shoes and with well trained staff. Get your feet measured every time you purchase a shoe as the width of your foot may change from time to time.
• Always try on both shoes and fit your larger foot. Walk around the shop to get a feel for the shoes.
• If your feet tend to swell, shop for shoes later on in the day when your feet are swollen.
• Take the socks or insoles with you that you anticipate wearing most often.
• Buy a shoe with adjustable fastenings such as laces, buckle or straps.
• Buy shoes that are suitable for your feet and not just suitable for your image