Athletic shoe fit and modifications

Abstract

Whether treating professional athletes or weekend warriors, it is critical to select the right shoes and get the correct fit. Some foot-care professionals fit patients themselves, while others refer patients out to stores that decide what is best. Either way, patients' needs are best served by the sports medicine specialist assessing the functional biomechanics of the lower extremity, identifying structural requirements, and creating a plan for the therapeutic objectives to be accomplished. Sports medicine professionals can best help their patients fit appropriate athletic shoes and achieve most favorable outcomes by addressing the four basics of size, shape, stability, and style. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.