Concerning Shoes & Foot Injuries!
may pronate more than the other, muscles may be tighter or weaker on one side, or a rotational deformity may be present.
Sole Wear
Outer Heel - Rearfoot striker. The point of initial contact with the ground is usually the place showing the most wear. This could be normal wear. Most people have wear here. This can occur with a slight outtoe and the increase in the varus foot position that occurs in running because of the narrower base of gait (the distance from the midline that the foot strikes the ground).
Inner Heel Rearfoot striker. Possibly in toe gait, which would make this area the initial point of contact with the ground. Could also be severe pronation, if the heel counter is bent inward and the medial part of much of the sole shoes wear. The best way to tell is really looking at the foot in addition to the shoe.
Forefoot Wear. Much forefoot wear and little heel wear, usually indicates forefoot strike, which the shoes of many faster short and middle distance runners will show. Uneven wear, or wear below a second or third metatarsal area may indicate a Morton's foot (short first metatarsal or second toe is the longest) and excess pronation. The indicated metatarsal may be at higher risk for a stress fracture.
Middle of the Sole, Lateral sole wear in general, may reflect a high arch, excessively supinating foot.
Medial sole wear, with a bent counter and a medial shift of the upper, probably indicates severe excessive pronation.
Heel Counter
The heel counter may be bent inward with excessive pronation and tilted to the outside by a high arched foot.
Upper
The upper may likewise tilt inward with a hyperpronating foot and tilt outward with a supinated (under pronating) foot. It may exhibit holes by the toes, or by the big toe alone. This means it may be too shallow or too short at the front of the foot. There should be a fingers width at the front of the shoe in front of the toes. If the toes make a big bump in the shoe less than 1/2 inch from the tip of the shoe, the shoe is probably too short.
Oversimplified Guide to Shoes.
Low Arch Needs much support. Stable shoe needed with good rearfoot control.
High Arch Needs more shock absorption. Better with a
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