PODIATRIST PROVIDES WINTER RUNNING SHOE ADVICE

PODIATRIST DR. KAREN LANGONE, PAST PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN PODIATRISTS STATES, " MOST WALKING AND RUNNING SHOES ARE WELL VENTILATED AND COMPOSED OF MESH.  THIS IS GREAT IN THE SUMMER WHEN YOUR SNEAKERS CAN START FEELING LIKE GREENHOUSES, BUT IN THE WINTER, THAT PERFORATION CAN LET IN AS MUCH AIR AND MOISTURE AS IT LETS OUT.  DAMPNESS IS MORE OF A PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER.  IT'S NOT GOING TO DISSIPATE AS MUCH, SO YOU ARE GOING TO RETAIN COLDNESS MORE THAN YOU WOULD OTHERWISE, WHICH CAN PUT YOU AT RISK FOR THERMAL INJURIES SUCH AS HYPOTHERMIA OR FROSTBITE.  STANDARD SNEAKERS MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE TRACTION FOR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS."

PODIATRISTS LANGONES FIX IS, "DON'T EXERCISE UNTIL YOUR FEET GET COLD AND THEN GO HOME.  IF YOU FEEL DISCOMFORT, YOU MIGHT FING THAT IT IS TOO LATE.  INSTEAD, TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.  FOR SOME, THAT MAY MEAN DONNING WOOL SOCKS.  OTHERS MAY NEED TO SWITCH TO A WATERPROOF SHOE.  WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BUY OVER SIZED SHOES AND THEN WEAR MULTIPLE PAIRS OF SOCKS. EXTRA-LARGE SHOES CAN CAUSE INJURIES."

AT MY FOOT CLINIC WE ALWAYS DIRECT OUR ATHLETES TO CONSULT WITH SPECIALITY SHOPS THAT DEAL ENTIRELY WITH ATHLETES AND HAVE KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF SUCH AS THE RUNNING ROOM, ETC.  ALWAYS DEAL WITH REPUTABLE AND KNOWLEDGABLE INDIVIDUALS WHEN YOUR HEALTH IS INVOLVED.

PLEASE CONSULT DR. HARDY, OWNER OF TORONTO FOOT CLINIC, ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS AT 416-465-8737 IF YOU REQUIRE HONEST, COMPETENT ADVICE OR FOOT CARE.  WE ARE OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK AND ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED LESS THAN 100 YARDS FROM THE BROADVIEW SUBWAY STATION.  HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TRAINED FOOT SPECIALIST WHO ALWAYS TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY!