Top 5 Dangers of Loose-Fitting Shoes

Top 5 Dangers of Loose-Fitting Shoes

We’ve all heard of the imminent dangers of wearing shoes that are too tight, even shoes that have a heel that is too tall, or shoes that have lost their support and firmness… but have you ever heard of why it’s so bad for the health of our feet and ankles to wear shoes that are too loose? Here are just some of the ways that loose shoes can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles:

  • When your foot slides too much inside your shoe, the friction can cause you to develop corns and calluses on your feet. These are unsightly and sometimes painful skin conditions that can be difficult to get rid of.
  • In addition to corns and calluses, you can easily develop blisters, which are very painful and annoying sacs of fluid that develop on a raw and irritated patch of skin.
  • Sliding feet can slide your toes right into the toe box of your shoes, hitting them harder than they would if your shoes were fitted. The trauma of this can sometimes cause your toenails to break the skin and become infected.
  • Hyper-flexing your toes to scrunch up and brace the extra movements inside your shoe due to their loose fit can cause your toes to cramp and develop hammer toe. This is when the tendon of the toe semi-permanently cramps up into a painful hook shape.
  • Without debate, by far the riskiest part of wearing shoes that are too loose is increasing your risk of various foot and ankle injuries. Whether it is jamming your toe or spraining an ankle, loose shoes aren’t worth it.

If you feel like any of these happen to you often, loose-fitting shoes might be part of the problem. You can always reach out to Dr. Alan J. Discont, Dr. Gregory M. Krahn, and Dr. Boyd Andrews for some advice. We hope these tips and tricks have helped you to address the struggle of loose-fitting shoes! Do your questions and curiosity go further? Call us today at (408) 732-0033 to schedule an appointment with us at Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, AZ.