Beaver Valley Foot Clinic  

You love to run—but you’re not sure what the best pair of shoes are for this exercise. What should you look for in a good pair of running shoes? Unfortunately, some shoes are marketed as the perfect running shoe, when in reality, they provide no support and instead can cause serious foot injuries. There are several components to a running shoe that both protect your feet and keep you moving:

• The sole. The sole of a good running shoe should be thick and firm to help support and cushion your feet. Your foot won’t move much in your shoe, which means that there will be less movement that could damage muscles and joints. That leads to fewer injuries and instances of problems like Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
• The heel. Buying shoes with a lot of cushioning at the heel is important, especially for those who have been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis or who have experienced any kind of heel pain. The structure of the back of the shoe should also ensure that your heel will remain vertical.
• The overall fit. Don’t buy a shoe that crowds your toes. Your feet are likely to swell when you run—that’s normal—and you’d like to have enough space between your longest toe and the edge of the shoe. If you have hammertoes, you should be sure that the toe area has enough room, or this condition will cause you a lot of pain while attempting to run. A podiatrist or foot clinic doctor can tell you what to look for when you are shopping.

Returning to Running After an Ankle or Foot Injury
If you’re starting to run, or even jog or regularly walk after you’ve experienced a foot injury, visit your podiatrist first. We can fit you for custom orthotics, make sure that your foot is properly braced, and see if you should be visiting a physical therapist if you feel that your exercise is re-injuring your feet.

Also, many people like the feel of a light-weight running shoe, because it’s easier to run in them. However, you should consider a shoe with a sturdier feel that contains that right amount of shock absorption and motion control.

If you are a runner in or around the Pittsburgh area and would like to hear more about custom orthotics that are prescribed by a podiatrist, call Beaver Valley Foot Clinic today. We have offices located in Butler, Beaver, and Allegheny counties and would be happy to help keep your feet healthy as you enjoy running.