I’m a podiatrist who has been practicing in the Financial District of San Francisco since 1990. At some point early in my career, I started to realize that many of the foot problems I encountered were directly related to improperly fitting or excessively worn shoes.
Seeing this, I felt both excited and worried at the same time, especially since shoes had never been a point of focus during podiatry school or my orthopedic residency.
So, I did what any shoe loving, problem solving, insatiably curious podiatrist would do - I let my patient’s feet and shoes teach and guide me toward a more comprehensive understanding of shoes, feet, fit and how when ignored, almost certainly leads to pain.
To date I have evaluated over 450,000 pair of shoes on my patient’s feet. Sometimes a person would bring in one or two pair, but usually the average was 10 or 15. My women’s record for the most shoes evaluated during one appointment is 48 pair, My men’s record is 37 pair. I spend up to an hour with each person, evaluating them in every pair of their shoes they have brought in and try on.
I measure people’s feet and check this measurement to their shoe size and fit. I twist, flex, loosen, buckle, tie and play with every component of every pair of shoes brought in. I evaluate wear patterns and compare this to the walking alignment I see. I have helped thousand of people find the right fitting shoe, ranging from a an Ultraman competitive elite athlete to a 17 year old girl with size 10 feet, trying to find a stylish, comfortable 3″ high heel to wear to Junior Senior Prom. I live, breathe and am constantly thinking about the form and function of shoes.
In a word, I am a zealot when it comes to shoes. I am on a mission to change the way Americans shop for shoes. So dust off those sneakers in the far reaches of your closet and put them on because I am going to take you on an interesting, fun, eye-opening adventure. And if we’re lucky, your feet and shoes, will never be the same again.
Welcome, the shoe doc is in…
13 responses so far ↓
Ann Whittall // December 15, 2007 at 5:45 p
This is a really interesting, diverse and helpful blog. It enlightens by showing “how” and “why” shoes cause pain, and teaches the foot-weary how to become foot-happy. This blog is a wonderful gift to those of us who like shoes and want to wear different types and styles and can now learn how to avoid ill-fitting shoes . You are making us smile!!!!!!! Thank you.
Barbara Lewis // December 16, 2007 at 8:46 p
Lots of real-world practical wisdom here. Just like with Dr. Shoe herself, who restored me to the realm of the walking AND helped me find shoes that would keep me that way. The blog’s advice on how to get a shoe to accommodate a bunion is really helpful for me.
Jan // January 5, 2008 at 8:01 p
I wish you were in Boston! Have you ever heard of pain on the top of the foot from clogs? I’ve worn Dansko clogs almost exclusively for years and then one pair started to feel tight over the arch. It became painfull. I stopped wearing them but after six months, I still have pain when any shoe, even loose sneakers puts any pressure on that area. It even hurts when I walk in Uggs, or barefoot. Have you run across this before? Jan
The Crippler // January 28, 2008 at 8:43 p
Hi Dr. Sanders, I am a roller derby skater from Pittsburgh with some questions you might find interesting. As roller skaters who go almost exclusively counter-clockwise in a small oval at high speed, we have some interesting foot needs. The most popular skate for roller derby, the Riedell 265, creates the same painful problems for nearly all the skaters in our league and in other leagues. If I sent you photos and a detailed description of our foot complaints, would you be willing to make some suggestions? With a few posts to the national roller derby forums linking to your blog, your blog would get hundreds of hits from foot pained rollergirls seeking relief!
Thank you,
The Crippler
#58
Steel City Derby Demons
lynne // February 15, 2008 at 4:26 p
Love your site. Thank you!
Elle // February 20, 2008 at 2:26 p
Thanks for great info. Could you please provide recommendations for more shoes, both athletic & casual, for women with beginning bunions, wide forefeet, narrow heels. Saucony doesn’t work for me. I’d like to keep my bunions small & wear healthy shoes!
Also, do you know a good podiatrist in the New York City area?
Dr Mitch // March 1, 2008 at 8:48 p
I’m a flat footed family physician who stumbled upon your blog-while searching for shoes. I love all your pictures and stories that bring to life your podiatric practice. Plus, I learned so much valuable info that I’ll start sharing with my patients.
John Coté // May 1, 2008 at 8:48 p
Hey Dr. Sanders, I love your blog, and I frequent it often to check your new posts! I just heard about this, and knew that you would be interested. Have fun, John Coté - DPM Class 2010. Check it out:
http://byunews.byu.edu/archive08-MAR-capstone.aspx
Andrea // May 27, 2008 at 3:21 p
Could you please review the New Balance 767? I have a relatively narrow foot and wear orthotics for my high and collapsing arch. Thanks!
Andrea
Kristen // June 18, 2008 at 9:38 p
Very interesting information. I will definitely be linking on our blog about fitting shoes for the larger foot!
–Kristen
steve // June 29, 2008 at 6:28 p
Thanks for the great information. I walk a lot and need something around 13.5 and fairly wide. Selection is awful and there is a lot of compromise. We all have something that is difficult to fit.
A friend of mine is a professional beach volleyball player ( http://www.6footsix.com/ ) who tends to wear flip flops when not playing. What is the optimal shoe for someone like that?
Matt Severin // July 7, 2008 at 4:01 p
Great blog!!! I truly believe that well-fitting shoes are really important and great contribute to one’s quality of life.
kevin // July 14, 2008 at 12:24 p
Just discovered this blog. awesome.
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