Women's feet are unique and a thorough examination from a professional podiatrist to determine the best way to care for them is crucial.  Differences in male and female feet began to emerge as early as three years old.  Children's feet grow proportionally about 8mm-10mm a year until adolescence, which typically starts around 12 in females and 15 in males.  After this time, males have a more rapid growth spurt than females.  Men's feet are both longer, wider, and spread more during standing than women's feet.  In addition, women's bones are thinner and the ligaments may be looser, leading to more flexibility.

Women are their own worst enemies when it comes to foot problems.  Unfortunately, I find most women are willing to buy a shoe that does not fit comfortably, simply because they like how they look on their feet.  Dress shoes, in particular, cause most problems for women.  Trust me, I know, since I too love beautiful shoes.  As a general rule the prettier the shoe the worse it is for your foot.  The problem with most women's shoe styles is that they are more narrow than a bare foot, and the front of the shoe is tapered.  The tapering of a shoe at the toes causes all sorts of problems in the feet, most notably bunions and hammertoes.  Additionally, high heel shoes also causes many foot problems.  High heel shoes transfer body weight into the ball of the foot causing problems such as corns, callus, and neuromas.  Over 90% of foot problems in women are self-imposed and related to footgear.

The important thing to remember is that looking good and having comfortable feet are not mutually exclusive.  You can have both.  At Markiewicz Podiatry in Metairie, we have many solutions to problems afflicting women and can get you feeling good in the shoes you want to wear.

Please see list on the left for specific foot ailments.