Wide foot: everything you need to know about this condition

Maybe you were born with wide feet, or maybe your feet have widened with age. Either way, you may have trouble finding shoes, sandals or sneakers that fit if you have wider than normal feet.

Although wide feet are not usually a concern, they can sometimes be secondary to diseases. Treating these conditions and wearing appropriate wide footwear can help minimize the problems that people with wide feet may experience. We offer a wide range of shoes for wide feet, from wide width sandals to wide shoes for women.

What causes wide feet ?

Feet come in all shapes and sizes, but we can classify the causes of wide feet as follows :

• Genetics : some people are simply born with wider feet. If you have flat feet, you will tend to have wider feet.
• Age : As you age, the ligaments and tendons in your body become looser and your feet tend to get longer and wider.
• Foot deformities : If you develop deformities such as bunion, calluses or hammertoes, your foot may become wider.
• Wearing the wrong shoes : Wearing shoes that don't fit your foot properly can lead to foot deformities.
• Pregnancy : A pregnancy hormone, relaxin, can cause the ligaments and joints around the feet to become looser. This is why pregnant women can develop increasingly large feet, especially during their second and third trimesters.
• Edema : Swelling in your feet can cause them to widen. This swelling may be temporary and disappear once the problem is treated. Certain medications, specific health problems, injuries and fluid retention can cause swelling. That's why we've selected a range of wide width shoes.

 

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Comfortables shoes for wide feet

What problems can cause by wide feet ?

Some people with wide feet report discomfort. This is often due to wearing shoes that do not fit properly.

Shoes that are too tight or too narrow can cause pain, blisters and certain deformities, such as :

• A bunion : a bunion is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. When a bunion grows, your big toe may turn toward your second toe. This can cause pain and swelling.
• Hyperkeratosis : putting too much pressure on the skin due to tight shoes can cause a type of callus known as horns.
• Overlapping toes : your toes may cross over when they are too tight in a shoe.
• Hammer toe : a hammer toe is a toe that begins to curl in on itself rather than lying flat.

Making wide feet look narrow

Often, there's not much you can do to make your foot look slimmer. Wearing tight, narrow shoes will only make the problem worse. Fortunately, there are a variety of shoes for men and women with wide feet that can visually reduce the width of your feet.

If you have flat feet, orthotics can make your feet slimmer while providing adequate arch support.

In some cases, losing weight or reducing swelling can also help your feet appear narrower.

Can the width of a foot be reduced surgically ?

Some surgeries can reduce the width of a person's foot.

Foot narrowing surgery has become fashionable for women who want to wear pointed shoes with high heels.

Doctors can shorten the toes by removing an entire joint from the toe and fixing the bones together. The toes can also be lengthened by cutting the bone and stretching it. In some cases, the toes can even be removed.

While cosmetic foot procedures have gained popularity in recent years, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, as well as many physicians, call elective foot surgeries a "misguided trend". Many experts warn that these procedures carry risks and that foot surgery should only be performed when absolutely necessary.

Surgery to reduce a bunion can also make feet thinner.

When should I see a doctor for wide feet ?

See a doctor if the pain from your wide feet does not go away or becomes too disabling. An orthopedic surgeon can help determine what is causing the discomfort and suggest a solution.

If edema is the reason for your wide feet, you may need to see another health care professional who specializes in treating your condition. The swelling in your feet may be due to pregnancy, heart problems, kidney problems, diabetes or other medical conditions that require treatment.

Certain medications, as well as rest, can help reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Conclusion

Feet come in all shapes and sizes. Some people are born with wide feet. Others develop wider feet as they age. And, some people have foot deformities or other conditions that lead to foot widening.

Your doctor can help you determine if your wide feet are a problem. While there are things you can do to help your feet look thinner, the best advice may be to choose the right shoes.

Author : Philippe Vesin - Pedorthist