Bringing Biomechanics Back

Hear from our top-tier board certified podiatrist

 

Understanding Biomechanics: Form & Function for Healthy Feet

Our feet serve as the foundation of our entire body. Similar to how a house requires a solid and stable foundation to endure the test of time, our feet play a crucial role in supporting our bodies and ensuring we perform at our best. People don’t often think about how our footwear helps us perform in our daily lives. As a podiatric physician specializing in dance medicine and an advocate for prioritizing holistic care of women’s foot health, I believe the shoes we wear play a critical role in reaching our potential each day. Because when we are our healthiest, we feel our best, which empowers us to do our best––whatever that looks like for you. 

The best way to understand why our footwear is so important to our overall health is to understand the concept of foot biomechanics. Simply put, foot biomechanics is the scientific study of how the bones, muscles, and joints in our feet and ankles work together to generate movement. As podiatrists, we receive extensive training in biomechanics because it allows us to analyze how the feet and lower limbs function within the larger musculoskeletal system. By understanding biomechanics, we can identify and address potential problems related to gait abnormalities (imbalances in one’s pattern of walking or running) as well as abnormalities in foot structure. Most importantly, understanding how various forces, motions, and muscle activities that occur within the foot throughout our daily activities impact the rest of the body is essential for maintaining overall physical health and well-being.

What happens to our feet as we age - and what to do about it

When it comes to women's foot health and biomechanics, preventative care is vital, especially since the way our feet function and support us changes as we age. Several factors contribute to these changes, including hormonal shifts, decreased activity levels, and fluctuations in body weight. Women often notice a thinning of the fat pads on the soles of their feet, leading to reduced shock absorption and increased pressure on the bones and joints. Ligaments and tendons in the feet also become less flexible with age, resulting in decreased range of motion and heightened stiffness. However, it's possible to alleviate these conditions by proactively caring for our feet before problems arise.

One of the most important things women can do to prevent potential foot health problems in the future is to be educated about proper footwear. Once you understand how the different elements of a shoe’s design can impact your overall health, you can choose designs that are best for you. When it comes to the form of TFR shoes, foot biomechanics were top of mind at every step of the design process. To ensure that a shoe provides the necessary support, functionality, and comfort, several critical design factors should be considered:

Toe Box Width: One of the most common complaints among my patients is that shoes are often too narrow in the toe area. When your toes don’t have enough room, you run the risk of developing a neuroma, often referred to as a  “pinched nerve” in the foot. A wider toe box reduces the risk of neuromas, blisters, and corns. It's particularly crucial when considering how our feet tend to swell throughout the day.

A shoe that has the functionality to expand over time can significantly reduce the pain and pressure experienced in the front of the foot when the shoe is too tight.

Heel Height: Perhaps the most apparent design element that has the potential to impact both comfort and stability is the height of the heel. The higher the heel, the less weight-bearing surface area there is for your body, and the more likely your body weight will shift forward. Not only does this increase pressure on the balls of the feet, but it can lead to general discomfort, fatigue, and pain in the feet, calves, and lower back. Lower heels distribute weight more evenly across the foot, reducing strain and enabling you to move more comfortably. The heel of the foot also tends to slip out of the heel of the shoe, creating a risk of injury.

A shoe with a slip-resistant heel and outsoles with traction-enhancing technology minimizes the risk of injuries and aids in shock absorption.

Weight Distribution & Foot Support: The lack of the necessary weight distribution and support in a shoe can lead to various common injuries. Whether you’re walking, running, or standing, shoes with well-designed weight distribution help keep the body stable and aligned, and reduce the risk of instability-related injuries like ankle sprains. When your foot isn’t properly supported, your body tends to overcompensate, leading to overuse injuries such as shin splints, patellofemoral pain syndrome (also known as runner’s knee), iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome, or hip bursitis. While some of these conditions are associated with exercise or rigorous physical activity, they can also arise from improper alignment and excessive stress on the joints during everyday life.

A shoe that provides well-balanced weight distribution and support prevents improper alignment and excessive stress on the joints that occurs during everyday life. 

 

Xray of Dr. Terri's patient wear testing the Katharine loafer

 

Merging Biomechanics with a beautiful aesthetic

I can personally attest to the importance of each of these elements of shoe design. Having been a dancer for most of my life, I am no stranger to foot issues. I was fortunate enough to have a mom who understood how important good shoes were, and she always took me shopping at a specialty shoe store as a kid. At that time, the shoes that provided optimal support for the hours of dancing I did each week had a distinct appearance, setting them apart from the shoes worn by my peers. While they may have looked different, I can confidently say that they saved the health of my feet and contributed to my performance as a dancer.

Today, I do still have a few lingering foot issues that don’t allow me to wear high heels, shoes with narrow toe boxes, or those without significant support – especially since I am on my feet all day. Having said that, I still enjoy wearing a stylish pair of shoes. I look for a pair of shoes that are functional, comfortable, beautiful and made from quality materials.

The TFR shoe design process was incredibly collaborative, and the principles of biomechanics were applied when designing the prototype. The most important part of the process (which is also the part I love the most) was testing them on the feet of my patients. I was intentional about choosing women patients with a variety of needs for their feet, including those with a wider foot type or that had certain foot deformities. They were able to experience the shoes firsthand, wear them around, and share their feedback directly with us. I also took measurements to ensure the fit was right for the foot type. We received great feedback on the fit of the shoes in the testing phase and made small adjustments to the designs as a direct result of that feedback. 

Not to mention, everyone absolutely loved the classic appearance of the shoes and the quality of the Italian leather! Every aspect of the shoe was thoughtfully designed with the end wearer’s performance in mind––from the biomechanics to the beautiful aesthetic.