5 Foot Health Misconceptions You Should Stop Believing

We tend to ignore our feet until they start screaming at us. But, because they are out of sight, out of mind for most of the day, we at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists want to bring them back in focus. Some of these misconceptions are harmless, but others can lead you down a path of chronic pain or avoidable infections. If you want to keep your feet and ankles solid, it is time to clear up these five common foot health myths.

1. If I can move it, it isn’t broken

You can absolutely have a fracture, especially a stress fracture or a break in a smaller toe, and still be able to walk through the pain. Just because you can wiggle your toes or limp across a room doesn’t mean your bones are intact. Ignoring a break can lead to improper bone healing, which can cause permanent alignment issues.

2. Shoes cause bunions

You might have been told that your love for pointy heels gave you bunions. In reality, bunions are primarily genetic. You inherit a foot type that is prone to them. While tight, narrow shoes certainly make bunions worse and accelerate their growth, they aren’t the root cause. If your parents had them, you are likely at risk regardless of your footwear choices.

3. Cutting a V in your nail prevents ingrowns

This is a classic bathroom surgery myth. Some people believe that cutting a notch in the center of the toenail will encourage the edges to grow toward the middle. Nails grow from the base forward, not from the sides. Cutting a V does nothing but weaken the nail plate and potentially leads to a painful snag or infection.

4. It’s just a normal part of getting older

Many people accept foot pain as an inevitable part of aging. While it’s true that the fat pads on your soles thin out over time, constant pain is never normal. Most old-age foot pain is actually the result of decades of improper support or untreated conditions like plantar fasciitis, both of which can be managed with the right care.

5. Store-bought insoles are the same as custom orthotics

Drugstore inserts provide cushion, which feels nice for a week. However, they are mass-market foam. Custom orthotics are medical devices built to change the actual mechanics of how you walk. Comparing the two is like comparing a pair of generic magnifying glasses to a custom prescription for your eyes.

For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.