If the Shoe Fits

First, let us close into a circle and collectively curse Betty Grable.

This pin-up girl may have been single-leggedly responsible for changing how the fashion industry looked at legs and shoes. It was the 1940s, a war was on and designers discovered a direct relationship between heel height and sexiness: the higher the heels, the better the gams.

Physiologically, the fashion designers were right.

When the toes are flexed downward, the calf muscles are stretched and tightened, exposing a braid of muscles in the back of the legs. This makes the legs look thinner. The price of beauty is that by the time the shoes are peeled off at day’s end, some women experience lower-back aches, throbbing leg muscles and hammered toes.

“Most foot problems are actually hereditary. If your foot is a certain shape and you’re trying to fit it into a shoe that doesn’t conform to the shape of your foot then, certainly, you will experience all sorts of foot, hip and neck problems,” said podiatrist Jo Ann Watson.

The side-effects of wearing poorly fitting shoes extend beyond gender lines. For both sexes, poor-fitting shoes can cause sever neck pain, fatigue and malformations of the toes.

Here’s a look at shoes and how to choose the best style for your foot.

How Uncomfortable Shoes Affect the Body “Wearing heels is akin to constantly walking down a very steep decline,” says Sheila Kimberling, a Huntington Beach massage therapist. “Leaning forward stresses muscles in the legs from the ankles to knee, then knee to hip and throws the hips out of alignment. Shoulders are thrown back as the body compensates for this downward feeling. Stresses on the musculature reach from the neck to the sole of the feet, causing chronic lower back pain, sever leg cramping and torn foot ligaments.” Eventually, A Malformed Foot Bone in big toe grows inward, pushing toe outward Bone grows straight out, pushing toe down Bone in big toe grows outward, pushing toe inward Shopping for Shoes Plan more than an hour for a fitting. Inform sales clerk of any feet problems. Describe work demands, such as standing all day or walking a lot at work. If walking and standing are routine, choose well-cushioned flats. This reduces strain on muscles in feet and legs. Bring orthotics to fitting. Salespeople should be encouraging about trying on many different shoes. If you’re still concerned about the fit, instead of wearing shoes on the streets, try the shoe out on carpet at home. Some stores do not have generous return policies. Shoe shop at end of day when feet are tired and swollen. Always measure both feet. Shoes feel too small? Go up a half size. Common Foot Ailments These are among the most easily diagnosed and treated ailments. Corns Shiny hardening of outer layer of skin. Thick growth presses on next layer of skin, which becomes thin and tender. Treatment: Plasters contain chemicals to relieve pain but don’t cure corns and may scar tissue. Due to risk of infection, paring corns with sharp instruments should be left to the steady hands of a podiatrist. Shoe choice: Wide toe, low heel. Calluses Thickening of skin on heels and soles. Caused by excessive friction or weight in the shoe. Treatment: Rub calluses with pumice stone or rough pads until skin is soft. Shoe choice: Thick cushioning on insole, orthotics and low heel. Bunions Degenerative process in which cartilage erodes on the joint. Condition can deteriorate into degenerative arthritis, permanently disfiguring joints. Treatment: Surgery. In most cases, patients are back on their feet in three days. Shoe choice: Low heel, wide toe. Hot Foot Burning sensation at bottom of foot. Arch ligaments are over-stressed. Treatment: Soak feet in hot water and Epsom salts. Shoe choice: Lower arch and heel. Arch Pain, Heel Spurs Symptoms include stabbing pain in heel or ball of foot. Most often caused by stretching or tugging ligaments that attach to heel bone. Treatment: Cortisone injections act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce pain and swelling. Shoe choice: Orthotics and low heel. Sources: Naturalizer West; Dr. Jo Ann Watson of Irvine; Massage therapy; World Book Encyclopedia; Stedman’s Medical DictionaryResearched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times