what-when-how
In Depth Tutorials and Information
table 6.2
The Footwear Suitability Scale (Nancarrow 1999)
Check
Explanation
yes/no
1. Is the heel of your
shoe less than
2.5 cm (1 in)?
As the height of your heel increases, the pressure
under the ball of your foot becomes greater.
Increased pressure can lead to callus and ulceration
2. Does the shoe
have laces, buckles
or elastic to hold it
onto your foot?
If you wear slip-on shoes with no restraining
mechanism, your toes must curl up to hold the shoes
on. This can cause the tops of your toes to rub on
your shoes, leading to corns and calluses.
Additionally, the muscles in your feet do not function
as they should to help you walk; instead they are
being used less efficiently to hold your shoes on
3. Do you have 1 cm
(approx. thumbnail
length) of space
between your longest
toe and the end of
your shoe when
standing?
This is the best guide for the length of the shoe, as
different manufacturers create shoes which are
different sizes. Your toes should not touch the end of
the shoe as this is likely to cause injury to the toes
and place pressure on the toe nails
4. Do your shoes
have a well padded
sole?
Shoes should have a supportive but cushioned sole
to absorb any shock and reduce pressure under
the feet
5. Are your shoes
made from material
which breathes?
A warm, moist environment can harbour organisms
such as those which cause fungal infections
6. Do your shoes
protect your feet
from injury?
The main function of footwear is protection from the
environment. Ensure your shoes are able to prevent
entry of foreign objects which can injure the foot. If
you have diabetes, a closed toe is essential to
prevent injury to the foot
7. Are your shoes the
same shape as your
feet?
Many shoes have pointed toes and cause friction
over the tops of the toes, which can lead to corns,
callus and ulceration. If you can see the outline of
your toes imprinted on your shoes, then the shoe is
probably the wrong shape for your foot
8. Is the heel counter
of your shoe firm?
Hold the sides of the heel of your shoe between the
thumb and forefinger and try to push them together.
If the heel compresses, it is too soft to give your foot
support. The heel counter provides much of the
support of the shoe and must be firm to press
If you have not put a tick in every box, your footwear is probably not protecting and supporting your
foot as it should do
