Fall Prevention: Footwear

Fitting

Appropriate length, width and height will allow the shoe to fit right. Appropriate length is 1 thumb width. Appropriate width is when your foot is unable to move side to side, but that you are still able to wiggle your toes. Make sure the toe box accommodates the height of your toes. Make sure when trying on new shoes to wear typical socks, if you use orthotics make sure to try the shoes on with your orthotic or any insoles you use to ensure proper fit of the toe box.

Tips for buying footwear:

1. Avoid the temptation to buy online.

2. Shop in person and try your shoes on.

3. Best time of day is mid afternoon. Take into consideration that feet tend to swell during the day.

4. Make sure to try both shoes on. Very often feet are not identical in size and this can have an effect on the fitting of the shoe.

5. If tying your shoes is becoming more difficult, velcro options! A loosely tied shoe can increase your risk of falling.

Shoe Characteristics to look for:

1. Shoes with a lot of contact to the ground, such as a low flat heel. The more contact the shoe has with the ground the more stable your base of support will be.

2. Avoid heavy footwear as this can affect your foot's ability to clear the ground with ease. Having difficulty clearing the ground can increase your risk of falling.

3. Make sure your shoes have good groove patterns to allow for good grip in winter months or in wet conditions for the water to flow through.

Footwear to avoid

1. Slip-on slippers

2. Flip-flops

3. Socks without grips

These types of footwear increase your risk of falling as they can be slippery, or can get caught on objects lying around which can increase your risk of falling.

Ice Grippers

Winters can be traitorous! Ice grippers are an additional add on you can place directly on your shoe to provide more traction for icy conditions. Ice grippers may also be known as cleats or crampons. If using an ice gripper make sure to put them on for when you are outside, but they do have to be removed when you enter a building.

Improve your Foot Care

It's very important to maintain your foot health. If you suffer from any foot pain or problems, make sure to reach out to your doctor, podiatrist or physiotherapist. Make sure your nails are routinely trimmed, it's always good to scan and monitor your feet for cuts and sores, especially if you are diagnosed with diabetes, as you may start to lose sensory input, which leads to the loss of feeling of your feet due to diabetic neuropathy. Maintain good circulation in your feet, ankles and legs. Many daily exercises can help improve blood flow, which will help maintain good circulation. Daily exercises such as ankle pumps, which is alternating between pointing your feet and flexing your feet. Ankle alphabet is another great one, this includes drawing all the letters of the alphabet, try upper case and lower case letters.

With the winter months approaching proper footwear can make a big different to help prevent a fall!

If you found this article to be helpful let me know in the comments below!