Footwear assessment

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Footwear assessment

Evaluation of footwear can indicate gait abnormalities – normal wear  usualy lateal heel, middle of ball area and medial forefoot and hallux area.

Check for fit, size, shape, suitability for patient’s activities, wear patterns and distortions of upper.
Check insoles of shoe for wear patterns.

Checking fit:
Length:
• patient standing in shoes – palpate end of longest toe – should be approximately a thumb width between length of longest toe and end of shoe
• could trace length of foot on to a piece of card  cut to length  insert into shoe

Heel to ball length:
• with patient standing in shoes, palpate MPJ’s to determine if level with flex line of shoe

Width:
• with patient standing in shoes – pinch the upper across the metatarsal heads – if width is adequate, should be able to get some of upper between finger

Depth:
• palpate upper above toes with patient standing in shoes

Shape of shoe:
• does flare of shoe match foot?

Wear of shoe:
• wear of sole is indicative of function of foot and gait
• direction of crease marks in upper
• medial or lateral deviation of heel counter
• heels should be worn on the posterolateral aspect
• check for strength of heel counters

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