Category: Footwear

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blog Footwear Winter

Replacing Your Cold-Weather Footwear

cold-weather footwear

As the leaves turn, many of us are starting our fall and winter shopping for the year. Going through your closet and deciding what to keep and what to part with can be difficult, especially when it comes to shoes. Are your boots from last year feeling a little tight in the toes? How do you replace some of last season’s favorites? New England Podiatry is here with tips on how to sort through your cold-weather footwear.

Is It Time to Toss Them?

Getting rid of your favorite shoes is difficult, especially if you can’t find an exact replacement. But if you find the pair ill-fitting as the year passes, it’s important that you stop wearing them. The health of your feet is more important! Below is an easy checklist for checking your shoes:

  • How do the heels look? Are they worn out? If so, some shoe repair stores may be able to help.
  • Have you had your running shoes for over a year? Are your feet in pain after your daily run? If so, replace them.
  • Are your boots not providing any arch support? Are the soles worn down? Time for a new pair!
  • How about your orthotics? Socks? If you find them worn, it’s best to get something new.

Everything Is Replaceable

Except for your feet, of course. If you’ve sorted through your closet and came up with a few pairs you need to throw out or donate, you may want to start shoe shopping. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • If you’re looking for an exact replacement, or something very similar, bring in your old shoes to show the salesperson. It can be difficult to describe what you’re searching for. This ensures that you get the best match.
  • Bring the socks you’re planning on wearing with your new shoes. Like to wear thick socks with your winter boots for extra warmth? Take them along!
  • Always remeasure your feet! Our feet grow as we age. To avoid pain from too-tight shoes, get your feet measured every time you shop.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various foot and ankle conditions. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.

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blog Foot Health Footwear

Women’s Shoes — and When to Toss Them

There is much to take note of this month, including women’s health. May 9 was National Women’s Checkup Day. During the week of May 8-14, it was all about National Women’s Health Week. There is also much to talk about when it comes to this topic. The conversation should include women’s foot health, too.

The doctors at New England Podiatry Associates see the common problems that can affect women’s feet, including heel pain, painful bunions, and more. One of the top culprits for the discomfort is wearing the wrong pair of shoes. Today, we’re making it easier to decide when to let a pair of shoes go. Whether it’s your favorite pair of heels, flats, sneakers, or sandals, we hope you’ll take notes.

If we are describing your shoes below, it’s time to let them go. If you love a pair of shoes so much, don’t you want to enjoy wearing them, too?

Visible wear and tear

No matter how much you love your shoes, visible signs of wear and tear are red flags. Holes mean that portions of your shoes are no longer protecting your feet. You could be exposing your feet to hot pavement, sharp, jagged rocks, or even fungus.

Foot pain while or after wearing shoes

If your shoes are causing you pain with each step, let them go. After taking them off for the day, pain shouldn’t accompany the rest of your evening either. Pain is not OK. Remember that it is your body’s way of saying you need to address the issues.

Changes to your shoe size

We are all guilty of holding on to something for too long. Shoes are an example. If your shoe size is changing, you have to adjust, too. Your size could change with pregnancy, medication, an injury, or other conditions.

Now is a great time to assess how well you are caring for your foot health. We encourage you to toss shoes that aren’t doing your feet any good. Watch for visible signs of wear and tear, foot pain, and shoe size changes. We can help you find shoes that are supportive for you in every season.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various conditions such as sports injuries, foot and ankle pain, pediatric foot care, ingrown toenails, and flat feet. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.

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blog Footwear

What Makes a Great Shoe?

It can be challenging to imagine that school is back in session, but it’s that time of year. Whether attending in-person or learning from home, are your children ready to walk in comfort? It starts with their shoes, from support to style. Here is a quick refresher on what it takes to make a great shoe. Class is in session for the New England Podiatry Associates guide to choosing the best footwear.

Top qualities of a great shoe:

Arch support

Arch pain can put your kids on the sidelines for sports. They may also sit out of other fun activities. Finding shoes with the proper support allows children to have the best environment for their growing and developing feet. Shoes like flip-flops are an example of shoes that fail to provide adequate arch support. While okay for vacations, short-term use, but we cannot recommend them for day-to-day wear.

Roomy toe box

Narrow-toed shoes are the problem-starters for a few conditions, including ingrown toenails. When shoe shopping, see how much space is available as wiggle room. If their shoes leave impressions on their feet, that is an additional sign it is time to upgrade to a larger size. Always shop for shoes later in the day. Our feet are at their largest size, and it is then easier to achieve a more accurate fit.

Quality materials

You do not have to break the bank for a pair of shoes. Pay attention to the materials. Ask yourself, can you anticipate holes after the first day on the playground? Will the soles wear quickly? Have you explored reviews for a particular brand or style of shoes? Be open to switching to more durable, breathable materials.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Michael Hass, Dr. Alan Green, Dr. Stephen Tubridy, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various conditions such as sports injuries, foot and ankle pain, pediatric foot care, ingrown toenails, and flat feet. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.