By Robert Weiss, DPM

In the past, we have written about women’s running shoes, but lately there have been questions regarding information on ladies' dress and/or casual shoes. The fact of the matter is, that many of the shoes that women are wearing are not the right fit for their foot type, which could lead to deformities as well as injuries. This is a problem we see all too often, particularly after the summer-fall wearing of sandals and/or flip-flops.

The most common dilemma is arch –heel pain and joint pain in the ball of the foot. This can cause friction to the nerves between the joints and a painful pinched nerve. This will result in burning and cramping of the toes. It is most important to look for shoes that fit your foot type. There are three types of foot structures, flat feet, feet with medium arch and feet with high arch.

• In the flat foot type, ladies should look for a shoe that has a bit of an arch support. A flat shoe would not be a good choice for a flat foot.
• Those with a medium arch are luckier to be able to wear a variety of shoes.
• Those with a high arch foot will do well with a higher heel for support and more comfort.

But keep in mind that we all need some support in the arch. No one likes pain, so if you take care in your selection of the proper shoe that will match your foot type, you could avoid suffering from pain in the ankles, knees and lower back.

When shopping for your shoes, check to make sure you have a stiff heel counter and that the shoe bends in the forefoot area. Foot type must be considered before the proper shoe choice can be properly made.

Dr. Robert F. Weiss is a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle surgery with a practice in Darien, affiliated with Stamford Hospital and member of Stamford Health Medical Group-Foot & Ankle Institute. A member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Marathon Trials, he is a veteran of 35 marathons.