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HERE ARE TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BUYING SHOES WITH MANUFACTURER’S DEFECTS
Has running become a pain for you, literally? If you’ve experienced running injuries
in your low back, knee or foot, you may have to take a closer look at your shoes.
First, before you look at your shoes, be sure you have a good stretching routine;
you’ve been consistent in your weekly mileage; and you’re appropriately
cross-training in conjunction with your running. If everything has remained the same and
you’ve suddenly been plagued with injuries, it’s time to take a closer look at
your shoes. I was made painfully aware of a problem with my own running shoes, a
model. I’ve faithfully used for nearly two years without problems. I injured my
right foot while racing the Clermont half iron man triathlon last September.
Since I’m an experienced triathlete and a board certified orthopedic physical
therapist, I’m very careful to perform all the proper preparations before a race.
When I woke up the next day after the race and I was unable to walk on my right foot due
to heel pain, I knew there was a mystery I had to solve. After I carefully examined
the sneakers, I noticed the right shoe heel counter was severely twisted inward causing my
foot to roll in. This over stretched my arch leading to severe foot injury. What I
discovered was the heel counter was glued in improperly.My physical therapy clients who
are experienced runners with good training
habits often come in with running injuries due to defective footwear. I know what to look
for. I had just overlooked the telltale signs of manufacturer’s defects in my own
shoes.
So, with a warning to look very carefully, here are my tips on what manufacturer’s
defects to look for:
•Check the shoes right out of the box. Put the shoes on a flat surface and hold the
top of the shoe while rocking it in and out. The shoes should remain even and
shouldn’t roll. If they are new and they roll, they won’t stop your foot from
rolling from side to side, and may buckle during use causing an injury.
•Is the heel counter straight? The small stitched rectangular area in the back of the
shoe should be straight and sturdy when you hold both shoes at eye level;
•Be sure that the midsole of the shoe is securely glued in. To test it, hold the
shoe, and try to separate the upper from the lower of the shoe. If it pulls apart at all,
and it’s brand new, it’s got a defect;
•The upper should be glued straight into the sole;
•Eyelets should be even;
•Air pockets and gel pockets must be evenly inflated because if they are too soft
they collapse to cause your foot to excessively roll.
•Look at how the shoe is wearing during the entire life of the shoe. A good running
shoe lasts 300-500 miles. Your mileage could be less if your shoe gets wet like when you
run on a treadmill in a warm gym; or if you run in the rain. The average who runner who
runs 30 miles a week with normal wear and tear can expect to have a shoe life of about
10-15 weeks.
Put a date somewhere on your shoes so that you’re sure to know how long you’ve
been using them to prevent injuries from worn out sneakers Be sure to check your shoes
throughout the time you use them.
Marathon runners know that mileage increases dramatically while they’re training for
a peak race training program. Also, It’s not unusual for manufacturers to suddenly
discontinue shoe models and you’ll find your trusty shoe is unavailable for the big
race. So it makes sense to buy an extra
pair before the long training program. Check the shoes for defects. Then, put-on 40 to 50
dry miles on the shoes, and put them away in the closet. They’ll be broken in, but
fresh for the big race. By the way, a more expensive shoe is not necessarily a
better built shoe. I’ve had many patients come in with injuries due to problems
related to expensive designer brand running shoes.
As for me and my defective running shoes, I was treated by my partner for a couple of
weeks, and in six weeks, I was able to complete the New York City Marathon with no heel
pain at all. My suggestion: Look especially closely before you buy your next pair of
running shoes.
by Bruce R. Wilk, P.T., O.C.S.
Director, Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists |
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Section and components of an athletic shoe. |
| The upper shoe is separating from the midsole when testing is performed to
pull these two parts of the shoe apart. The outsole stays intact with the midsole. |
 |
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A) Dotted lines shoes a 90 degree angle formed between
the center of the heel counter and a horizontal line through the middle of the midsole of
the sole.
B) Dotted lines shoe the right, outward lean of the upper shoe because it
is glued into the midsole at an outside angle. |
| Inside (a) and outside (b) vertical distances are equal on the left shoe,
demonstrating that the left shoe sole is level. B) The inside (c)
vertical distance is larger than the outside (d) vertical distance on the right shoe,
demonstrating that the right shoe is tilted in an outside direction. |
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A) A downward, inwardly directed force does rock the left
shoe inward. B) A downward, inwardly directed force does rock the left
shoe inward. |
| A force id directed outwardly with the thumb over the inside air / gel
pocket to check for symmetry of inflation. |
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A) A downward, outward pressure does not cause loss of
height in the outside air pocket in the left shoe.
B) A downward, inside pressure causes the inside air pocket to lose
height and collapse inwardly on the right shoe. |
Here are Wilk's tips on what manufacturer's defects to look for:
- Check the shoes right out of the box. Put the shoe on a flat surface and hold the
top of the shoe while rocking it in and out. The shoe should remain even and
shouldn't roll. If they are new and they roll, they won't stop your foot from
rolling from side to side, and may buckle during use causing an injury.
- Is the heel counter straight? The small stitched rectangular area in the back of the
shoe should be straight and sturdy when you hold both shoe at eye level.
- Be sure that the midsole of the shoe is securely glued in. To test it, hold the
shoe, and try to separate the upper from the lower of the shoe. If it pulls apart at
all, and it's brand new, it's got a defect.
- The upper should be glued straight into the sole.
- Eyelets should be even.
- Look at how the shoe is wearing during the entire life of the shoe. Wilk says A
good running shoe lasts 300 to 500 miles. Your mileage can be less if the shoe gets
wet like when you run on a treadmill in a warm gym; or if you run in the rain.. The
average runner who runs 30 miles a week with normal wear and tear can expect to have a
shoe of about 20 weeks. Wilk says to put a date somewhere on your shoes so that
you're sure to know how long you've been using them to prevent injuries from being
overworn. be sure to check your shoes throughout the time you use them.
Wilk says marathon runners know that mileage increases dramatically while they're
training in a peak race training program. It's not unusual for manufacturers to
suddenly discontinue shoe models and you'll find your trusty shoe is unavailable for the
big race. So, Wilk suggests it makes sense to buy an extra pair before the long
training program, and to check the shoe for defects. He says to put on 40 to 50 dry
miles on the shoes, and put them away in the closet, they'll be broken in, but fresh for
the big race.
By the way, Wilk says a more expensive shoe is not necessarily a better built shoe.
Some of the most expensive running shoes cause problems. "I've had many
patients come in with injuries due to problems related to the use of some very expensive
running shoes,"says Wilk. |
RUNNING SHOE
Because of the impact involved with running shoes are designed to provide a maximum
overall shock absorption for the foot. These shoes should have good heel control.
While not a cure-all, these qualities in a running/sports shoe help to prevent shin
splints, tendinitis, heel pain, stress fractures and other overuse syndromes.WALKING
SHOES
Walking shoes should be lightweight and have extra shock absorption in the heel
of the shoe, especially under the ball of the foot (the metatarsal area). this will
help reduce heel pain as well as burning and tenderness in the ball of the foot
(metatarsalgia). Walking shoes have more rigidity in the front in order to roll off
of them rather than bend through them as is done with running shoes.
AEROBIC SHOES
Shoes for aerobic conditioning should be lightweight to prevent foot fatigue but
also have extra shock absorption in the sole beneath the ball of the foot (metatarsal
area) where the most stress occurs. AOFAS advises working out on carpet vs.
concrete.
TENNIS SHOES
Because of the quick side-to-side movements and shifts in weight involved in
tennis, tennis players should have a shoe that support the foot accordingly. A shoe
that provides stability on the inside and outside of the foot is an important factor.
Flexibility in the sole beneath the ball of the foot allows for repeated quick
forward movement.
BASKETBALL SHOES
Due to the jumping and landing involved with basketball, players should have a shoe with a
thick, stiff sole and a high top. It gives extra stability when running as well as when
landing. A high-top shoe provides support to prevent ankle sprains from landing
incorrectly.
CROSS TRAINERS
Cross-training shoes combine many of the above features to allow the individual to
participate in more than one sport. A good cross-training shoe should have the
flexibility in the forefoot that is necessary for the running combined with the lateral
control necessary for aerobic or tennis. In general, sport more than three times a
week; otherwise a cross-trainer should suffice. |
Bruce R. Wilk P.T.,O.C.S.
Director of Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists, Miami
8720 North Kendall Drive Suite 206
Miami, Florida 33176
Phone: (305) 595-9425 Fax: (305) 595-8492
E-mail: info@defectiveshoe.com |
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