Runway models may be ‘twigs’ but there is one part of their body that is not as tiny as you may think- their feet! The majority of models are supposed to be tall, but usually the taller you are, the larger size feet you have. I was surprised to learn that Elle MacPherson wears size 11.5 shoes, Heidi Klum and Paris Hilton wear a size 11, and Tyra Banks sports a size 12! My first thought after learning that these fashion forward women had larger feet was- How do they still manage to get the CUTEST shoes with their large size?! I would think you’d have to special order a 4 inch rhinestone encrusted stiletto in a size 12.

The sad reality is most women reading this article (including the one writing it) don’t have a celebrity shoe designer waiting at their will to custom design shoes in our specific size.  Thus we are left to rummage through shelf after shelf of different styles and sizes in search for that perfect shoe. This can be a challenge for any woman, especially those with larger shoe sizes as many styles are not readily stocked in larger sizes.

Regardless of what size or style of shoe you’re hunting for, it’s imperative to try on both shoes before buying them to ensure proper fit. Look at this way- by trying them on before committing to them, you can also make sure the shoes flatter your body versus make your tootsies look like sardines crammed into a can.  Fashion doesn’t have to be painful if you get shoes that fit correctly and follow a few basic tips. 

1. Try on every pair of shoes you buy, don’t rely on your ‘shoe size’. Depending on the style and brand of the shoe you may need to go up or down a size or width.
2. Make sure you are wearing the appropriate socks or stockings for the shoe gear you are trying on. For example, you don’t want to try on dress shoes with thick athletic socks if that’s not the type of sock you will be wearing with that shoe.  Your size and/or width may differ and the shoe may rub more depending on the sock or stocking.  Also, I personally think thick athletic socks with a small strappy dress shoe is one fashion statement that would never catch on.
3. The best time to try on shoes is in the middle or end of the day. Feet tend to swell throughout the day so shoes can fit more snug at the end of the day. Trying on shoes in the afternoon or night will allow your feet to be comfortable in shoes, even with the maximum amount of swelling.
4. Shoes are made for walking, so make sure that you can do just that comfortably before committing to a pair. Take the shoes for a stroll around the store.  If shoes are tight in the store don’t assume you can magically ‘break them in’ after wearing them a few times. You are more likely to ‘break’ something on you versus breaking them in.  If they don’t fit well now, they won’t fit well later.
5. Once you’ve made the purchase, wear the shoes around the house for a few hours, or even days. This will give your feet a chance to get used to the shoes and discover any problems such as blisters from rubbing or your heel slipping while you walk.
6. Don’t buy a pair of shoes simply because they are on sale, unless they actually fit you. It may seem like you’re saving money initially, but in the long run you’ll end up spending more because you’ll have to go buy a pair later that actually fit right.

No matter if your shoe size is 4 or 14, ill-fitting shoes can lead to a number of painful and unsightly problems. Tight shoes can form blisters that can turn into open lesions and ulcers. Shoes with a small toe box can encourage bunions and hammertoes. Loose shoes allow your feet to slide around and can cause instability and falls. I think we all can agree that crutches or a walker is not a good fashion statement- unless apparently you’re Jessie J at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards who ‘blings out’ her walker. 

Take the time to ensure that you have comfortable, well-fitting shoes; your feet will thank you for it! Call 309-661-9975 or click here to make an appointment to have a foot care specialist measure your length and width, and recommend the best shoe for you!

The 21-year-old Twilight super star, Kristen Stewart, was seen limping around in her Jimmy Choo shoes at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.  The Twilight series is four fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer.  It is a love story about Bella Swan, a teenage girl who falls in love with a 104-year-old vampire named Edward Cullen but might also have feelings for a werewolf named Jacob Black.  (I personally have a unicorn collection at home with 200+ figurines, so I am not about to ‘bash’ this story line or those in love with vampires and/or werewolves.) 

Since the release of the first novel, Twilight, in 2005 the books have gained immense popularity worldwide.  The series has won multiple awards including Children’s Book of the Year.  Thus far every book has been made into a motion picture, and this third film may have been the most highly anticipated film to date. 

So, millions watched as the Twilight stars strutted down the BLACK carpet outside the Nokia Theater in L.A. for the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. Although, Kristen Stewart wasn’t doing as much strutting as she was limping.

She confessed that her feet were in pain due to a stunt injury on the set of the fairytale film Snow White and the Huntsman, where she illustrates Snow White, the only person fairer in the land than the evil queen, Charlize Theron.  (Snow White and the Huntsman is the inside cover in the special double issue of this week’s People Magazine, where Bradley Cooper is featured as the sexiest man alive!)

Stewart confessed to Hollywood Access that her feet were hurting her tremendously. "I just hurt my foot on Snow White of course, because I do that to myself all the time."  She continued: "I was running around on Snow White and I tend to hurt myself when I get really into stuff, and I did it again."

The actress admits that the Jimmy Choo heels intensified her pain.  "I think this is the last interview I'm going to stay in these heels… [the injury is] not that bad, it's just these are crazy killer heels.” Kristen confides, "I'm such a klutz… I hurt myself... (But) I love stunts."

Even if you’re not a Hollywood heart throb or stunt person, if you have a foot or ankle injury, come in to see Dr. Lockwood immediately! Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates is here for all Bloomington, Normal, and central Illinois residents.

Last night I attended a function for a local sorority here in Bloomington/Normal.  I am the Advisory Board Chairman and went to the Chapter House for a meeting. (To learn more fun facts about me or a staff member, click here!)  On the way in, I noticed that my shoe kept making a ‘scratchy’ sound and felt a little weird or off-balance.  I didn’t pay much attention until this morning when a close inspection revealed a potential NIGHTMARE for a diabetic patient….

I wear extra depth shoes and inserts.  Not only are they stylish (my fashionista sister has the same pair and LOVES them!) but they protect my feet and I can ‘practice what I preach’ to my patients.  These shoes have additional toe room, and are sturdier and deeper than regular shoes.  This extra volume accommodates inserts, or orthotics, as well as deformities commonly associated with a diabetic foot.  Extra depth shoes are light weight, have shock-absorbing soles, and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to accommodate virtually any foot.  Extra depth shoes are IDEAL for diabetic patients because with neuropathy (loss of sensation to the feet) diabetics are at increased risk for problems if something were to penetrate a shoe…

Which brings me back to the campus for my sorority meeting.  As I inspected my shoes this morning, I discovered two 1.5 inch pieces of brown glass (bottle of something?) penetrating the bottom of my shoe!  Luckily, because of the depth of the shoe, I didn’t feel a thing and my foot was untouched.  I just heard that ‘scratchy’ sound.  It took 1 pair of forceps, 2 pairs of hands, and 1 podiatrist, but I got that glass out!  Just imagine if I had on flip flops or ballet shoes!!  I would be numbing up my own foot to get that glass out!! 

A picture is worth 1000 words – so check these out!  And make sure the soles of YOUR shoes can handle whatever they step in!!

Try to say this title 3 times fast!!!

I recently joined a spinning class at my gym. For those of you who aren’t familiar, spinning is a fast paced stationary biking class that simulates flat road rides and uphill climbs that you would experience on a real bike ride. During the class your feet are strapped to the pedals. About half way through my first class I noticed that all 10 of my toes were going numb. When class was over, the numbness resolved itself almost immediately.

For the next class I came prepared with my Dr. Jill’s Ball of Foot Gel Cushions. I love these gel pads- they are reusable, self sticking, and work in ALL shoe types. I can even wear them in sandals and while barefoot.  Since they are re-usable and self-sticking, it saves me money because I don’t have to go out and buy new pads all the time.  The entire line of Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads was created and designed by a fellow podiatrist (Dr. Jill!), and they are all made in this country.  During my spinning class, the pads relieved the pressure on my feet and prevented most of the numbness that I experienced in the previous class.

Many patients have experienced the same type of numbness and tingling while using exercise equipment.   Machines where your feet remain stationary, such as an exercise bike or elliptical runner, are especially prone to causing pain. Thisis most likely due to a neuroma in the foot. A neuroma is an enlargement of a nerve. In the foot, neuromas occur in the nerves that run between the metatarsal heads, the bones that form the “ball” of your foot. The constant pressure put on the foot while working out can compress the enlarged nerve, causing numbness and/or tingling. Appropriate padding (like Dr. Jill’s!) placed behind the metatarsal heads on the bottom of the foot will offload the area and distribute weight more evenly.  This allows less compression on the nerves, hence decreasing the tingling sensation.

The numbness and tingling could also be caused by tight shoes or laces that are tied too tight. Feet swell when you exercise. If you experience pain when exercising, check to make sure your shoes fit properly. You may need to loosen your shoe laces a bit to accommodate swelling throughout your workout.  The soles of your shoes should be flexible in the ball of the foot and have room to move your toes.  Try a well-cushioned sock for reinforcement, such as Aetrex Copper Sole Socks so that perspiration is "wicked" away too.

For longer workouts, taking a few breaks will alleviate the constant pressure on your feet. In most cases, the numbness should subside once your workout ends. If the problem persists long after the workout there could be a more serious problem and you should make an appointment at Heartland Foot and Ankle to have it checked out. Happy exercising!!

Thousands of households across the country enjoyed the season premier of the hit FX drama series Sons of Anarchy (SOA) on Tuesday night.  The show is about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club running the small fictional town of Charming, California.

Between celebrating births and marriages, retaliating against other gangs, and getting in and out of prison the boys are at heart motorcycle enthusiasts.  Here at Heartland we have some motorcycle lovers too- Natalie Clarenson, a medical assistant, and Dr. Lockwood are both familiar with bikes.  Natalie purchased an 883 Super Low Harley for her husband Logan once he returned from a 1 year deployment in Egypt.  Dr. Lockwood’s father loved riding his candy apple red 95^th Anniversary Ultra-Glide Classic Harley. 

Being in the podiatry field we want to make sure all our riders are equipped with proper foot wear while enjoying the open road.   Some of these tips are just for feet, but some are general safety rules.  These are our top 5 tips for a great SAFE ride this fall:

1. Always wear closed toed shoes – steel toes are the best!!  Remember, like Fred Flinstone, you are USING your feet to help stabilize you as you stop at lights.  Wearing flip flops and open toed shoes is basically asking for a visit to the podiatrist– for road burn, broken toes, or worse.  And if you get into an accident, you want your feet to be especially protected!
2. Always wear sunscreen – when you’re out on rides and especially on cement your body can be burned so easily! More importantly wear long pants to protect your legs (again, in case of injury).  Dr. Lockwood’s father, Jim, would never let his daughters on the Harley if they weren’t wearing their jeans!
3. Controversial – but wear that helmet!  Yes, Harley guys have the freedom to choose, but please choose wisely.  We don’t want to fix a broken foot, but it IS easier than a broken head or neck!! 
4. Check your riding shoes for wear patterns – depending on how you steady yourself on that HOG, you might be causing excessive damage to the outside of your boots .  If you are riding more than twice a week, you should replace your boots every 6 months – sooner if you are able to get out on the open road even more!
5. Remember to have fun and be safe!  Our family motto is “always watch for bikers!”  Sadly, not enough motorists do – so remember to wear light colored clothing so you can be seen easily and to obey the rules of the road (because not everyone does!).

If you want Dr. Lockwood to check out your riding boots you can schedule an appointment online or by calling 309-661-9975.  HFAA even offers extra depth riding boots to assure a comfortable safe ride!  And these boots qualify for the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program. So stop by Heartland Foot and Ankle to cruise down the open road- just like Jackson Teller (Charlie Hunnam) and Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) on FX’s Sons of Anarchy!