Revised 7-1-2005, 8-15-2006; 7-30-2007 and 9-5-2007 to further simplify

Problem and Digest:

Click for Sketch; and also see “Cautions” in the main body of this article, before deciding whether to attempt repair. 

Overview:
Some expensive athletic ‘sneakers’ and non-athletic shoes have many fine features; but they develop problems with wear, or even have certain problems when new.

Sometimes shoes do not provide long service for some individuals who have, historically, tended to wear-down shoe soles very unevenly; or just the heal sole region much faster than region near the toes.  Sometimes, even rather new shoes, without noticeable wear, seem to capsize to one side, like an unevenly loaded ship.  In that case, even persons of the same weight, but who transfer their weight differently, may find that the shoes work for only one person, or perhaps neither. 

But the sad result of either above problem is that a person’s ligaments likely stretch in inappropriate ways; and pain arises and often escalates!  With much experience, testing and study; many people could probably make drawings of where the pain is in their foot, knee, or leg versus the likely specific worn regions of their shoes causing it.  And/or, perhaps, other causes.  And determine whether screwing #10, #8, and/or #6 sheet metal screws into the shoe soles would restore some spacings.  If that helps, for how long?  And/or determine if it would help by applying several layers of white adhesive tape (and/or even a thin adhesive plastic strip) to the pads inside the shoes.  If so, how much, where, and the details?  

Repair Details and cautions:  Click for Sketch

I now outline a general guide that I have used to extend the useful life of many of my shoes.  It likely has to be varied depending on unique problems, and in some cases will not work at all!  Note all precautions already mention above, and also those after my ‘General Guide’ section. 

General Guide for Repairs: 

Generally, after I have used my shoes a month or more; my foot, knee or leg begin to feel less comfortable, maybe even with some strain or pain.  I take my shoes off and notice where the shoe sole may be getting worn down.  And where the internal cushion pad (hopefully a removable insert for inspection and other reasons) may be getting ‘fatigued’ or less supportive.

I might attempt to fasten #6, #8, or #10 sheet metal screws into the heel, say near the perimeter of the heel that contacts the ground, so that their head thickness partially compensates for the worn-off material.  If the soles are made of relatively soft rubber, those screws may have to be 3/4 inch long, minimum, to remain in securely.  Of course, make sure there is at least that much thickness rubber material for safety and to avoid getting punctured.  And I would be reluctant to use less than 1/2 inch long screws even in soles made of tougher rubber.  (Sometimes it may be helpful to carefully use an ice-pick to start a holes, before attempting to screw in the screws.) 

On the shoe’s internal pad (usually on its upper surface); strips of healthcare style ‘adhesive tape’ can be applied to also ‘build up spacings’ and support.  Near the region of the pad where the ball of the foot rests, that tape might be added, perhaps to the lower surface, as well as the upper surface of the pad.  I have occasionally even used cut or configured thin (magnetic) rubber strips, by affixing their adhesive side to the pad’s lower surface to build up the heel spacing. Usually, in that case, I apply it near the pad’s perimeter.

Usually, if the foot, knee or leg discomfort is toward the side or back; that corresponding side or back part of the shoe is worn down or fatigued; and restoring the spacings in that region might be helpful.

But occasionally, building up more support a small distance away from the pained region will bring relief.  In the case of some helpful orthotics; the region where the arch of the foot begins, and toward the inner side of each shoe – is where the support is helpfully built up or increased.  Even though that was somewhat away from where the heel pain was, i.e., where the ‘plantar fasciitis’ problem was.  Similarly, if pain occurs at on the bottom of the foot just before where the middle toe begins; a few strips of tape applied to the cushion pad at the ‘ball of the foot’ region may bring relief.  (It increases support there; and thereby relieves some of the pressure an inch or two away, by balancing the restorative forces.)

Incidentally, when prescribed orthotics are worn; the podiatrist will likely advise that the pads in shoes be first removed and not be used; because then the orthotics provides the arch support and other aid, and thus potential conflict is avoided. 

Cautions:

If any repairs are attempted, one should be experienced at using tools and hardware.  One should be circumspect in one’s approach; and approach the repair with a somewhat empirical attitude; be careful, and ‘take your time.’

Before considering the repair successful; make sure the shoes do not tend to skid (unsafely).  And that any fine floors, that one might use those shoes on, are not scratched by the shoes.  One should inspect the repair every day to make sure the screws are not becoming loose; and that any strips of tape or affixed rubber strips are not ‘creeping’ away from there original location.  If that holds rather securely; perhaps inspecting every other day is OK.

One should not, even at best, expect the repairs I have outlined to extend the shoe-life extremely long.  When further repair merely results in very short term usage without further discomfort; that is an indication that one definitely needs new shoes. 

Note, one proceeds at their own risk, if one decides to repair and uses my suggestions.  (I.e., even with my cautions, etc..)

OPTIONAL, (Can be skipped) Miscellaneous Comments and Opinions:

What have so many shoe manufacturers been doing, and for so long?  (Somewhat similarly for most clothes manufactures who seem to have forgotten the purpose that the particular garment is supposed to serve!)  There is a general ‘natural’ shape of the foot, and I wish most shoe manufacturers would stop trying to avoid fitting that natural shape!  (That is the sad impression I get, at least.)  For example, the toes of the natural foot do not point inwardly toward a point, nor does the foot naturally conform to ‘high heels’; and I don’t think they should be encouraged to.  Although not as damaging as the old discredited Chinese practice of ‘foot binding’; I think that many shoes sold for the last 50 years have been damaging; and that future pain, limitations, and sometimes the need for corrective surgery or other medical protocols have resulted. 

For a long time, cigarettes manufacturers have been required to provide a warning label on their products.  And I think for many shoes styles; the maker should also provide one.  It might state: “Caution, this shoe may be fashionable, but its fit or traits may be adverse your foot’s health!”  And that should have been done long ago.  (Also, socks that elastically squeeze the skin near the ‘calf’ are rather common.  I think that may lead to more future vein problems than otherwise, especially if the squeeze tends to leaves an ‘impregnation’.)

I recall that some shoe repair tradesmen, 30 to 60 years ago, sometimes installed so-called ‘cleats’, i.e., a flat metal strip near the back of the shoe heel -- that was not uncommon in those days.  That may have accomplished some of what I have suggested in this article, although I have no personal experience with those old ‘cleats’.  

If a person is more comfortable standing with only their socks on - than with their new shoes on; that is a likely bad sign about the design of the new shoes.  (And I’m not just talking about the ‘refreshing’ feel of ‘being barefoot’ that most people naturally experience.)  Apparently and fortunately, some innovative foreign shoe designs have been introduced to supplement designs that have been popular in the Americas for the last sixty years.  The new concept seems to involve the sole associated with the heel bone area, and the design avoids having the center of one’s heel bone absorb the total weight or impact when standing, walking, or turning/twisting.  And the design actually requires less material, and emphasizes the perimeter of the heel to provide a stabilizing effect against rocking motions. 

When a person has two different types of shoes, both good makes; I think that the wearer should occasionally alternate between those different types, say, every few days or weeks, etc.  That is probably because it is good for most people’s feet to occasionally encounter slight variations in exposure, especially when slowly breaking-in new shoes.  A seemingly astute salesperson once advised me not to wear exclusively thick-soled athletic shoes.  It is likely, that the particular pressures that my foot exerts on flat ground deviates from the ideal. Then, thick, somewhat spongy soles and cushion might just invite further non-balancing action, ligament extension or twist.  (So maybe that person’s suggestion was right for me, at least.) 

Optional--Closing Remarks:

I never cease to be amazed at how the slightest exceeding of very narrow body tolerances can cause great problems. And, yet, when a very able and perceptive doctor does catch subtle, but serious variances, and his/her advice is good, and obeyed -- great relief is often obtained.

I have seen cases where two slightly different sets of ‘orthotics’ were made; and one gave just a little more ‘support’ than the other did.  The visual difference was not noticeable to me, at least until the Podiatrist pointed it out.  And the one, with slightly less orthotics support, just did not do the job, but the one with slightly greater support did!

I have often seen even the slightest change in a previously satisfactory engineered product and other products lead to great improvement, or rendering the product almost totally useless – usually the sad latter!  So it is no surprise that the saying arose: “Never Assume…etc.”  (Or at least re-test, if at all possible, even after making seemingly inconsequential changes.)

And, by the way, what is it with most pajama designers?  I don’t need pajamas with one to five pockets, i.e., I don’t sleep with ‘tools’ and things in my pockets and don’t need the disruptive transitions and problems of attached pockets.  What I would like, instead, is very loose, very light weight, very s-t-r-e-t-c-h-a-b-l-e knit cotton (long legged) pajama pants.  With long sleeve shirt of similar material and ‘buttonable’ in front.  That is so I don’t dream that I’m too hot and can’t quickly remove my hot shirt -- and wake up and discover that, indeed, I can’t!

In my case, I find that my leg connective tissues do not fare well on some treadmills that utilize moving ‘belts’ to walk on.  And even less well, in my case, if the belt is slanted upward.  I do better when walking indoors on a stationary rug, or walking outdoors, if feasible.  A non-trivial amount of walking is very important to many people’s health.  So I am happy that there are still some good shoes manufactured and available.  And that good, custom-designed and custom-made orthotics can be wisely designed, prescribed, and made, by quite a few good professional Podiatrists. 
Something analogous to that is done by some fine dentists for teeth (when designing crowns); and in other professions by other professions; and these are some of the greatest developments in science, technology and humanities in our modern world.

 ----End of article----

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