By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Nov. 29, GNA – Madam Amanda Mawudoku, a podiatrist (foot and ankle doctor), has advised the public, especially women, against prioritising fashion over foot health when choosing footwear.
Madam Mawudoku, who is also the founder of the ‘Podiatry First in Ghana’ a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) ahead of a free foot screening exercise, said humans had only one set of feet for life and they must therefore protect it.
She said the first step to taking care of the feet was to protect them in good shoes, stressing that “it is not wise nor safe to adorn them with risky shoes.”
The foot specialist explained that risky shoes could cause permanent deformities, causing pain in the foot, knee, leg, and hips, while diabetics also risked getting ulcers and amputations.
Guiding the public on what shoes to use to protect their feet, she indicated that children only needed shoes when they start walking and that their footwear must be the correct size.
“To ensure the best fit, please measure the child’s feet and to effectively do that, have them stand on a piece of paper, trace the outline of the child’s foot, then measure the length between the heel and the tallest toe,” she said.
Madam Mawudoku stated that the healthiest footwear was the same for everyone, old and young adults, children, men and women, indicating that the shoe should fit well and have a round and deep toe box, a low, broad heel, and a thin and flexible sole.
“Have a lace, strap, or Velcro fastening to ensure that the shoe stays firmly attached to the foot. Fashion shoes look pretty, but they may harm the feet,” she revealed.
The podiatrist stated that high heels were bad types of shoes, as they altered the alignment of the body, putting stress on the legs, hips, and back, and creating pressure on the balls of the feet by thinning the fat cushion.
She disclosed that while pointed shoes scrunch the toes together and cause bunion and pains, deforming the toes, flat flip flops provided no support and therefore overstretch tendons, causing the toes to constantly hold the flip flop on.
“Ballet pumps provide no support and cause the toes to constantly hold the shoe on, and flexible shoes have also no support, causing the feet to move about too much. Therefore, healthy shoes are good and safe for the feet,” she noted.
The podiatrist stressed that trainers were the best all-round for support, explaining that they could help prevent injuries as they had cushioning, stability, and absorb shock on impact.
“Trainers have deep wide toe boxes, laces, and a high heel grip. All reducing stress on the foot joints, knees, and ankles,” she said.
Madam Mawudoku hinted that men could go for styles like Oxford, Derby, or Chukka boots, while women could wear wedge heels not more than two inches with a fastening, adding that walking shoes were also good for all.
GNA