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Mobility

Teach

Lesson: 3 of 4
Topic: 5 of 5
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In this topic you will find more information about:

  • How to care for feet
  • Suitable shoes
  • The key things to teach people who need to take extra care of their feet and wear suitable shoes.

The foot screen guide summarises this information.

Care for feet

Teach all people at risk of foot wounds how to care for their feet.

Explain to people at risk of a foot wound that daily foot care can help prevent a foot wound.

Key things to teach:

  • Check feet every day for redness, skin damage, cuts or swelling. They should:
    • Look closely at the top, bottom and between the toes of each foot. They can get assistance to do this if needed, or use a mirror.
    • See a health care professional straight away if there are any problems.
  • Wash and dry feet, including between the toes every day
  • Avoid walking barefoot and wear suitable shoes (or therapeutic footwear or offloading device if prescribed)
  • If diabetic, see the diabetic health care service regularly
  • Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of a foot wound. To care for feet, don’t smoke and reduce alcohol.

A man sits in a chair, with one leg bent up so he can look closely at the bottom of his foot.

Suitable shoes

Suitable shoes help protect feet from injury. They can also help reduce the risk of falling.

The best type of shoe has closed toes, because this provides the most protection. However in hot climates, people may prefer to wear a sandal.

Features of suitable shoes are:

  • A low heel (flat shoe)
  • Adjustable straps or laces which help make sure the shoe fits well.
  • Heel support. This may be a closed in heel or a heel strap.
  • Wide toe space. The toe area should not be pointy.
  • A non-slip base, such as rubber
  • Upper material that is breathable and will last. Good examples are leather, durable fabric or mesh.
  • Overall firm support. A suitable shoe should only bend at the toes. It should not twist or bend in the middle.

A sandal with parts labelled adjustable straps, toe space, heel support and low heel.

A sports shoe with parts labelled adjustable laces, heel support, low heel, outsole and toe space.

A sports shoe with the front bent up at the toe. Label reads ‘only bend at the toes’.

Watch this short video to see how to check the features of a shoe.

Activity

Which of the shoes pictured below do you think are suitable shoes?

A pair of flat shoes that only over the toes, which are pointed. The base is very thin with a small heel.



Click to see answer

This shoe is not suitable.

The shoe does not give strong support around the heel.

There are no straps or laces to adjust the fit, which increases falls and wound risk.

There is little space around the toes, which can cause the shoes to rub and wounds to develop.

The base of the shoe does not protect the feet from the ground.

A flat sandal with a thin base and one strap that goes around the front of the foot and can be held between the big and second toe.



Click to see answer

These shoes are not suitable.

The back of the shoe does not give any heel support.

There are no straps or laces to adjust the fit, which increases falls and wound risk.

A flat sandal with a thick base shaped to support the foot. Adjustable straps can fit around the front, ankle and back of the foot. The toe space is open and wide.



Click to see answer

These shoes are suitable.

They have a low heel and the base is made of comfortable, soft material which protects the feet from the ground.

There is good support around the heel.

The strap is adjustable and there is space around the toes.

A flat sandal with a thick base shaped to support the foot. Adjustable straps can fit around the front, ankle and back of the foot. The toe space is open and wide.



Click to see answer

These shoes are suitable.

They have a low heel and the base is made of comfortable, soft material which protects the feet from the ground.

There is good support around the heel.

The strap is adjustable and there is space around the toes.

Discussion

Think about the features of the example shoes. Do you think your shoes are ‘suitable shoes’?

Think about other people in your community and the shoes that they wear. Are they suitable shoes?

As well as the right features, suitable shoes need to fit well.

It is a good idea to check the fit of a person’s shoe. You can also teach them what to look for when they are selecting shoes for themselves.

Ask the person to stand and check:

  • Toe space:
    • One thumb width between the end of the longest toe and the front of the shoe.
    • Toes can wriggle freely up and down
  • Width: The shoe should fit closely at the widest point of the foot
  • Heel: The heel of the shoe should fit closely around the person’s heel.
  • Comfort: Check there are no areas that pinch, rub or cause pressure.

Ask the person to walk and check:

  • That their heel does not slip in and out of the shoe
  • The shoe feels comfortable.

Then check for signs of rubbing or pressure.

A foot inside a shoe shown from the side. The shoe is see through so we can see the space between the toes and the end of the shoe. This space is labelled thumb length.

A foot inside a shoe shown from the top. The shoe is see through and we can see the space between the toes and the end of the shoe.

If a person has some loss of feeling, they may not feel if the shoe is rubbing or causing pressure.

After the person has walked in their shoes for a few minutes, ask them to take off the shoes (and socks if wearing) and check each foot for redness or other signs of rubbing or pressure.

Watch this short video to see how to check that a shoe fits.

You have completed Lesson three!