We’ve heard lots of misconceptions about feet - in this blog we will look at a few ideas that are commonly believed to be facts, some of which are partially untrue, and others are complete myths!
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Shoes cause bunions
It seems that many people believe that bunions are the result purely of bad footwear, but that’s actually not the full truth.
Bunions are actually genetic, due to an inherited foot structure which causes a person to be
more prone to them. However, there are certain shoes that can put extra pressure on the front of the foot, so those who are predisposed to getting bunions could make the condition worse.
Wearing high heeled shoes shifts weight to the front of the foot, and tight, pointed shoes can cause toes to squash together. So if you think you have early signs of a bunion, or your mother or grandmother has them, you may want to avoid wearing shoes with heels and/or pointed toes.
You can’t walk on a broken foot
“If it was broken you wouldn't be able to walk on it!” Most of us have heard or thought this, but is it true?
There are 26 bones in the foot, and many ways that it could be fractured. Depending on where the fracture is, your threshold for pain, and the severity of the injury, it’s possible to walk on a broken foot. However, doing so will cause further damage and make it difficult for the break to heal, so it’s advised to keep weight off it, and to get it checked by a professional so that it can be treated correctly.
Its normal to experience foot pain as you get older
This is a myth, as foot pain is never ‘normal’. As we age, our risk of developing medical
conditions or sustaining injuries increases, but most of these are treatable, so it’s very possible to have pain-free and healthy feet even as we age!
If you notice any pain in your feet, we suggest that you get advice from a foot health professional. Feel free to email us on hello@comfootzone.co.uk or call us on 01903 532159 if you would like to ask for some advice or make an appointment with one of our experts.
Soaking your feet is good for you
Soaking feet can be very soothing, but doing it too often can lead to dry skin. Also, if your feet aren’t dried properly, (especially between the toes), it can cause fungus or other infections to develop, and it’s especially important for those who suffer with diabetes to make sure the feet are always thoroughly dried.
Your foot size never changes
I used to work in a shoe shop, and one of the most common misconceptions I heard from customers was “I need it in that size, because I’ve always worn that size!”
However, feet do change over your lifetime - they can get both wider and longer due to the
ligaments stretching out, so you could even end up going up 1-2 shoe sizes!
Gout is caused by poor diet
If asked what causes gout, how would you answer? Many people assume that it’s caused by diet - but that isn’t the complete truth.
Gout is actually the result of a buildup of uric acid in the body - either because your body overproduces it or because your kidneys don’t filter it out properly. This leads to urate crystals forming in joints, which causes them to become inflamed, painful, and swollen.
Research has shown that the risk of developing gout is more influenced by family history and genes than by diet. The reason many people assume that diet causes gout is because consuming certain foods that contain a lot of purine raise levels of uric acid in the body, which can cause flare ups in those who are predisposed to it.