Are you Wearing the Correct Shoe Size?

If you have been wearing the same shoe size since your 20s, you might not realize that your feet may have increased in size. On average your shoe size can increase by 1 to 1.5 shoe sizes in your lifetime. Many factors can cause an increase in shoe size such as age, weight, foot conditions, and even pregnancy. You should get a proper measurement of your feet size every 5 years. It is important to wear the correct fitting shoe because different foot deformities can form from wearing shoes of an improper size. Your feet can develop deformities such as bunions and hammertoes as you age. As much as one-third of all older people have a bunion, according to the American Geriatrics Society. This can happen when tendons and ligaments in the feet get tighter or looser, depending on the area of the foot in which they’re located. 

Feet usually stop growing during your late teens. In some people, their feet might continue to slowly get bigger into their early 20s. Everyone is different, so there isn’t a set age for when your feet should stop growing. As you get older, your feet might get bigger due to weight gain, loose ligaments, or physical changes like bunions. However, this doesn’t mean your actual bones are growing. Instead, your feet get flatter and wider over time. If you wear the same shoe size as you did in your 20s, consider getting remeasured and wearing the appropriate size shoe based of those measurements. This will provide proper support and promote good foot health.

Author

Visoth Chan, DPM Dr. Visoth Chan is the owner and medical director of Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. Following this, she received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at the California School of Podiatric Medicine in Oakland. She subsequently completed her podiatric surgical residency at White Memorial in Los Angeles. She takes great pride in her role at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates and strives to make sure her patients have the best care possible. When not treating patients, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her daughter, Emmylou.