Choosing the right shoes makes a big difference to the health of your foot, and there are a number of factors to consider. Firstly, the shoe should fit correctly. This may seem obvious, but it can be tempting to go up or down half a size if the shop doesn't have your exact size in stock, but even this can make a difference. Shoes that are too big for you can cause common problems such as blisters, calluses and sore heels, and shoes that are too tight can lead to corns, ingrown toenails and hammertoe.

Shoes should have proper heel and arch support or else they can cause pain in a number of areas of the body, not just the feet and ankles. Shoes with insufficient support cause postural problems, issues with the lower back, and joint pain in the knees and hips.