Favorite shoes that served faithfully for years suddenly start pinching at the sides, and the usual size 38 turns out to be too small. Orthopedic doctor Sergey Krasilnikov explained how the foot changes with age and what to pay attention to when trying on a new pair of shoes, reports infohub.kz.
"The thing is that with age, ligaments lose elasticity, muscles weaken, and the arch of the foot drops. The foot, so to speak, spreads out — it becomes wider, and sometimes a little longer," the source quotes the orthopedist as saying.
According to him, this is often associated with transverse flatfoot, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), weight gain, and years of wearing narrow shoes.
"Moreover, people usually focus on foot length, not width. But shoes start pinching precisely in width — in the forefoot, where the bunion is. So if shoes start pinching at the sides, pressing on the toes, or leaving marks, then your foot has become wider," he explains.
What to do? The doctor advises trying on new shoes in the afternoon. By evening, he says, feet become slightly larger.
"Look not only at length but also at width. Choose shoes with a wide toe box. And don't try to 'break them in.' If they pinch, it will only get worse," the doctor emphasized.
Krasilnikov also noted that if shoes suddenly become too small, you should definitely show your foot to an orthopedist to help your body in time.
The thing is that a sharp increase in foot size in an adult is a serious medical symptom that requires immediate medical attention. Most often it is a sudden and severe swelling (fluid accumulation) or acute inflammation, not a change in bone structure.
Earlier, Krasilnikov explained whether it is possible to live with an enlarged bunion on the foot without surgery.