Gone are the days of unsightly lace-up shoes for women suffering from foot problems. The latest in designer footwear now includes an emphasis on comfort with some styles saving room for an orthotic insert to relieve foot pain. An orthotic is an orthopaedic appliance that supports the foot and improves function of the foot to prevent pain or injury. It helps the foot absorb shock from the body above and the ground below. They can be purchased over-the-counter at sporting goods or drug stores, or specially made by doctors, podiatrists, physical therapists, and others.

For years, physical therapist Gini Davis listened to her female patients complain about the lack of stylish, comfortable shoes for women with foot ailments. "Let's face it, lace-up shoes aren't something you want to wear for a night on the town," says Davis, president of Crescent City Physical Therapy. She decided to start offering several lines of the designer shoes specially made for women with foot problems.

"There is room inside the shoe to insert an orthotic to help cure what ails the foot," says Davis. "The shoes are designed to support the foot with a system that may be replaced with an orthotic when needed. It can make a world of difference for those with problem feet. Davis, a licensed physical therapist, has treated foot problems for 20 years and is excited to offer shoes to the public that are both attractive and comfortable.

Carol Wise is one satisfied customer. She was referred to Davis by Dr. Robert Dehne, an orthopaedic surgeon and strong believer in comfort shoes.

Wise had foot surgery last year and she is so impressed with the line of shoes, she threw out her old shoes and has already bought six pairs. "I'm in shoe heaven," says Wise. "I kept my old shoes thinking they would eventually fit, but I have now realized that they were hurting my feet badly."

Orthotics can provide cushioning and some positioning. They may be placed into your shoes to cover the full length of the inside of your shoes, or they may be as little as a metatarsal pad or simply a gel heel pad. These devices can help a lot of people for little expense.

The spacious shoes are not just for older women. Studies show that in the past 20 years, the foot of the average American woman has grown a full shoe size to an 8 or 9, up from a 7 or 8. More than one-third of women now wear a size 9 or larger, up from 11% in 1987. Male feet are growing too, but only by a half-size in the past two decades.

Gini Davis of Crescent City Physical Therapy offers the comfort shoes for sale. For more information call 504-895-0638.

Do you need an orthotic?
1. Look at your feet. Do you have bunions, calluses, or toes that
will not straighten out?
2. Concentrate on how each foot moves: can you bend your toes at
every joint of each toe, can you make your arch higher or flatter, can you spread your toes, can you move your ankles freely in all directions? Is there a difference between each foot? Are any of these movements painful?
3. How strong are your feet - can you walk 10 steps on your heels,
on your toes? Is this painful?
4. Wet the bottom or your feet and make a footprint. Look at the
footprint - is there an arch, or is your foot flat?

If you found out that you have little flexibility or strength in your feet, or foot, that the movements produce pain, or that you have a very high arch or very flat feet, you may benefit from an exercise program for your feet and you may be a candidate for orthotics.