| Foot Conditions- Ankle Varus | |
| Ankle varus is a condition where the ankles roll out, diminishing the stability and overall alignment of the body. If left untreated, ankle varus can lead to chronic ankle instability. People with ankle varus often experience an increase in sprains and progressive weakening of the ligaments. Ankle varus shoes help to balance the foot’s natural tendencies to roll out--significantly decreasing the occurrence of injury. Drew footwear, with its wide, often flared outsole and extended medial heel stabilizer, helps to reduce the chronic pain associated with ankle varus while improving foot alignment. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Arthritis | |
| Arthritis is not one disease, but over 100 known diseases that affect the bones, muscles and joints. The term does not designate a specific disease, but means inflammation of a joint resulting from any cause. Pain and swelling can ensue (particularly obvious in the hands and feet), which creates limited movement and mobility. Drew footwear plays an important part in maintaining an active lifestyle and comfort level. Because the arthritic foot is hypersensitive, swollen and painful joints need extra room and soft leathers. Arthritic feet typically have disintegrated fatty pads that need extra cushioning and shock absorbing insoles. Often, orthotics are prescribed to position the foot to create less stress and alleviate pain. Drew footwear has a variety of depths to accommodate these special orthotics. If arthritis is present in the fingers and hands, Drew footwear has Velcro closures and a wide opening that can ease the pain of putting on, and taking off, footwear. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Bunions | |
| Bunions can form in any part of the foot, but occur most often at the big toe joint. Bunions are created when friction between bones and skin create inflammation, resulting in a fluid-filled sac. With continual pressure the sac hardens and the result is pain and rigidity of the bones. The big toe is often forced into a position where it faces inward, resulting in the bunion. High heels and poorly fitting footwear are considered the main culprits. Drew footwear offers wide toe boxes that reduce cramping and allow the toes to spread out evenly. Drew features extended medial heel stabilizers and specifically designed Lasts that allow adequate toe room, yet keep the heel snug in the shoe. Added depth footwear creates space for custom orthotics, which can prevent the overpronation that created the bunion in the first place. Soft, nearly seamless linings also help to protect bunions and relieve pain. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Diabetes | |
| Diabetes is a syndrome in which the basic defect is an absence or shortage of the pancreatic hormone insulin. This deficiency disrupts the vascular system, affecting the eyes, kidneys, legs, and other extremities such as the feet. Diabetic foot problems arise from poor circulation that causes hyposensitivity (lack of feeling). Clinical studies have shown that footwear and doctor prescribed orthotics play an important role in diabetic foot care. Drew footwear has removable insoles that can be replaced with prescribed orthotics, which help reduce and redistribute pressure and pressure points. The footwear has a wide shank area to better accommodate the diabetic foot. Look for soft, tumbled leathers that reduce irritation, and shoes that are lined with deerskin or other soft, seamless materials. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Hammertoes | |
| Hammertoes is a term used to describe toe deformity caused by a muscle imbalance in the foot. A hammertoe is the result of the flexor digitorum longus muscle contracting first and overpowering the smaller muscles in the foot. This causes the toe’s outer two joints to bend downward, resulting in hammertoe. While genetics plays a role in creating hammertoes (a flat foot predisposes this condition) failure to wear extra wide shoes and corrective footwear often aggravates the problem. Hammertoes, if left untreated, can develop into a painful and permanent deformity. Often, the failure to use corrective shoes places additional pressure on the toes. This unnatural pressure serves to further aggravate the hammertoe deformity. Extra-wide shoes feature wide toe boxes enabling the toes to rest evenly across the shoe’s surface. In addition, our corrective shoes reduce friction and relieve pressure by providing the necessary room for removable insoles found in deep depth shoes. | |
| Foot Conditions- Metatarsalgia | |
| Metatarsalgia is a condition that creates intense pain in the ball of the foot. The foot consists of metatarsal bones that work together to support your body during walking. If the balance of these bones is compromised, foot pain can ensue. Footwear with rounded or oblique toe characters prevents the toes from becoming cramped and helps keep the metatarsal bones in balance. Support is critical to pain relief and shock-absorbing insoles that evenly distribute your body weight and reduce painful pressure points will help. Good insoles will also help prevent the arch from collapsing, keeping the foot in better alignment. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Pes Cavus | |
| Pes Cavus (commonly referred to as high arches) is a term used to describe a foot with excessive toe to heel arch elevation. Pes cavus is the opposite of flat feet and is far less common. The condition of high arches is often associated with abnormal orthopedic and neurological conditions or occurs with the onset of neuromuscular disease that diminishes muscle tone in the foot. A foot, with a high-arch condition, often experiences pain; this is because pes cavus places undue stress on the metatarsal region of the foot. This condition often requires high arch shoes with added depth for custom insoles or orthotics. Use footwear with extra depth for custom insoles designed to alleviate high arch pain. In addition, each pair of shoes has extended medial heel stabilizers, steel shanks and specially designed lasts that provide added support and stability for feet with pes cavus. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Pes Planus | |
| Pes planus is a condition where the arch or instep of the foot collapses, coming in contact with the ground. When an individual walks, pressure shifts to other parts of the foot and causes pain. Correctly designed shoes will make the low-arch foot more comfortable. Use footwear designed with removable insoles that can be replaced with arch-supporting orthotics. Because the foot often pronates in flat feet, the body can become misaligned and other joints can be affected. Look for footwear with extended medial heel stabilizers, steel shanks and specially designed Lasts that allow for added walking stability to keep the body aligned. |  |
| Foot Conditions- Plantar Fasciitis | |
| Plantar Fasciitis (which can lead to heel spurs) is a persistent pain located on the bottom of the heel and the inside of the foot. The plantar fascia is a fibrous, tendon-like structure that extends the entire length of the bottom of the foot. During excessive activity, the plantar fascia can become irritated, inflamed and even tear. Improper shoe selection can cause the injury, including stiff-soled shoes that stretch the tendon, and over-worn shoes that allow the foot to pronate. Look for footwear with superior insoles that support the arch and reduce tension on the tendon. Shoes with extra room for orthotics, which are commonly prescribed to help alleviate the pain and tension of plantar fasciitis. Shoes with extended medial stabilizers in the heel provide needed support and stability for this condition. |  |
