Ever had a lacerated ankle or ripped foot? Yes, it indeed is painful but what is more painful is the delayed healing attributed to the vital functions of load-bearing they perform. Injuries of the foot are often seen to heal more slowly than injuries of other parts and to put it in simple words, the only reason is because of all the walking, and even if we were given a complete bedrest, would we even oblige? No, of course not. Because we would be saturated with boredom, so while you are about to step out of bed and take a walk to kill the monotony, be sure to slide into good footwear. Why? Simply because our footwear does affect the healing time our load-bearers are going to take. Just as avoiding silk or nylon T-shirts and choosing cotton T-shirt in abdominal burn escalates the repairing, our footwear somehow works in the same way.
In this article, we will be dealing in a little more detail as to how our not-so-important and often overlooked footwear can escalate or impediment the healing time.
The role of footwear in foot wound healing
Common problems requiring thoughtful management to avoid complications such as infections, deformities, or worsening of the injury are foot wounds, especially chronic conditions like diabetic foot ulcers. Footwear directly affects these outcomes. A shoe's design, materials, fit, and cushioning can all influence how a wound heals, and improper footwear can impede healing, lead to additional pressure or irritation, and increase the risk of re-injury.
Protection from external injury
The most common functions of footwear include protecting the feet from environmental hazards, for instance, dirt, debris, and so forth. Open or not fully healed wounds have a higher susceptibility to contaminants that may worsen the condition and delay healing. Wearing shoes will protect the wound from coming into contact with all types of dirt and bacteria, preventing infection and further irritation.
Full-coverage shoes with a strong sole protect the wound from accidental bumping or rubbing, which could dislodge the healing process. For people with chronic wounds or conditions like diabetic neuropathy, which causes reduced sensation in the feet, the protective layer of shoes is particularly important because they might not feel discomfort from minor injuries or pressure.
Reducing pressure and friction
Pressure and friction, among many others, can also be significant deterrents to the healing of foot wounds. When a person walks or stands, body weight is shifted downwards to the feet, which leads to any region of pressure or friction hindering the wound healing process and thereby causing pain and swelling along with further injury to the area. Poorly fitted shoes could aggravate these; tight shoes and seams from shoelaces that touch the area can irritate it and interfere with healing.
Shoes that are designed with cushioned insoles, soft fabrics, and padded interiors can help reduce the pressure and friction put onto the wound. Extra padding in shoes or soles made of memory foam can be used for cushioning when it alleviates the amount of pressure coming from the affected area, thereby making the wound heal without more trauma. For instance, the structural support at the arch in the shoes can help in evenly distributing the weight across the foot to prevent local pressure on the wound.
Additional features that make the shoes have a more customized fit are the wider toe box or adjustable straps, which minimize friction on the foot and wound. This is especially important for people who suffer from diabetic foot ulcers or blisters caused by tight shoes, as these conditions are exacerbated by constant friction.
Maintaining proper foot alignment
Many wounds that occur or flare up are associated with poor alignment of the feet, which puts abnormal pressure in certain areas and adds stress on the foot. For instance, people with a condition such as flat feet high arches, or overpronation, wherein the foot rolls inward, would experience uneven distribution of pressure as they walk; this can create strain on a wound or intensify an existing injury.
Orthopedic shoes or custom orthotic insoles can correct foot alignment by providing the necessary arch support and cushioning to ensure that the foot maintains a natural, balanced position while walking. This can prevent unnecessary strain on the wounded area, promote healing, and reduce the risk of developing additional wounds.
It also aids in aligning the footwear, thus providing better distribution of the body's weight on the foot and helps in avoiding new areas for soreness or blister formation.
Moisture control and temperature regulation
Foot wounds are highly susceptible to moisture, and it slows the healing process while increasing the risk of infection. Shoes that don't allow proper moisture control will trap sweat and moisture around the wound, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. Damp conditions around the foot can cause further skin breakdown, increase inflammation, and slow healing.
Breathable shoes made of materials like mesh uppers or moisture-wicking fabrics help to control temperature and avoid excessive moisture around the foot and wound. Well-ventilated shoes ensure airflow that dries out the wound and reduces the chance of developing fungal infections like athlete's foot or bacterial infections that can cause further complications.
In addition, antimicrobial linings or shoes that have been treated with antimicrobial agents can help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that may infect the wound.
Supportive mobility and reducing strain
Mobility may present a problem when there is an injury in foot wounds. For people suffering from such a type of wound, walking might sometimes be unbearable since the pains result in altered gait. Changes in gait eventually lead to even more stress and strain in different parts of the body like knees, hips, or even back muscles. The right support in proper shoes may minimize the strains or impacts of those strains to some extent in addition to restoring or maintaining natural movements of gait.
Footwear whose soles have flexible materials, insoles that absorb shock, and a soft cushion on the heel reduce the impact of a step and give relief, making it easier for patients to walk or move without reopening or worsening the wound. Other types of footwear whose bottoms are rocker-like (allowing the foot to roll out smoothly from one end to the other within the gait cycle) are also beneficial for reducing tension on the foot and preventing jerky movements that will reopen or worsen the wound.
Promoting circulation
The process of circulation must be optimal because blood contains the essential oxygen and nutrients for tissue healing. Swelling in the foot, poor blood flow or a reduction of flow may negatively impact the recovery rate. Appropriately fitting supportive shoes are important factors for improving circulatory flow, as any type of restrictive pressure around the foot and the ankle should not occur.
Wearing properly fitting shoes, not too tight, with a firm heel counter and adequate ankle support will also improve circulation to the area. For the diabetic or the vascularly challenged, it is of paramount importance that one wears shoes that encourage circulation for healing and lessening the complications that may occur.
Footwear plays a significant role in the healing process for foot wounds. Proper shoes offer much-needed protection, reduce pressure and friction, maintain proper foot alignment, control moisture, and enhance circulation factors that contribute to faster and more effective wound healing. Poorly fitting shoes or those that exert extra pressure or irritation can delay recovery, increase the risk of infection, and potentially worsen the injury.
For patients with conditions such as diabetes or vascular complications that result in recurrent foot lesions, proper shoe selection is one of the more important aspects because orthopedic shoes, and custom insoles, can bring about a difference in accelerating healing and prevention of further issues in the future. In terms of foot injury, by simply paying attention to footwear, there is improvement during the recovery stage, avoiding certain complications, and preventing further damage to the feet.
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