Are your shoes causing your foot problems?

I have been seeing a lot of new cases of plantar fasciitis and various tendonitis problems of the foot and ankle.  I believe that there is a new cause for these foot pains and problems with my patients.

SHOES!

What is wrong with the shoes?  Well the manufacturers of athletic shoes have followed the move to minimalist shoes and this is affecting a lot of my patients.  This is because the drop has lowered.  The drop is the difference between the heel and the midfoot.  Minimalist shoes have a drop that is significantly less than other models. Up until recently most shoes have had a drop of at least 10-12 mm but with the recent minimalist movement the drop has gone down to 4-6 mm in many shoes.  There are some that are a zero drop or even negative heel.

Why is this important?  Well as the drop is lowered, your stride needs to shift to a midfoot landing to counter the lack of cushion and transfer from heel to toe. It’s not to say that lower drop shoes are bad–they aren’t for some runners–but they do require time to adapt to the differences in impact, neuromuscular patterns, and muscular strength and mobility. Simply put, it takes time to learn how to run this way and for your body to adapt to the new stress.

So if you have a sudden new foot pain or a pain that started with a new pair of shoes check out the drop.  Compare your current shoes to your previous ones and if there is a difference be suspicious of your new shoes.  Try to gradually adapt to the new drop but if your pain continues make sure you call Momentum Foot and Ankle Wellness Center at 402.315.4406 (402.315.4406) to schedule an appointment.