Footwear advice

The shoe should be held on your foot close to the front of the ankle, by a lace, Velcro, strap or elastic. This will allow the shoe to have more width at the front. A slip-on shoe has to be too tight for your foot, otherwise when you take a step forward; you would step out of the shoe.

This will allow more room for the toes. A pointed or narrow shape will squash your toes together, irritating the delicate skin between your toes and also the tops of your toes (especially your little toe).

This will help to prevent rubbing on the tops of your toes.

A high heeled shoe throws all your weight forward onto the ball of your foot and squeezes your toes together. If you have worn high heeled shoes for several years, “wearing flats” may pull on your calves at first as, over time, the muscle at the back of your calf will have shortened. This will soon go as the muscle lengthens again – gentle stretching exercises may help.

This allows for shock absorption and support – a hard thin sole on the shoe increases the impact on your foot.

“Flip flop” style shoes and “strappy” sandals are not held on your feet. If there is no heel cup or strap around the back of your heel, then your toes claw to keep the shoe in place.