Want to go shoe shopping like the pros? No, not fashion designers — we mean medical professionals.
Foot surgeon Dr. Yolanda Ragland — who goes by “Queen of Toes” — has some advice for how to pick footwear that won’t kill your feet.
Speaking to The Post, she shared the absolute most important thing everyone should be aware of when it comes to their collection of pumps, loafers and stilettos — plus a major myth about the best way to break in a new pair.
If the shoe fits
Getting your shoe to fit might not land you a prince like Cinderella, but it could help prevent future foot damage.
“Proper fit is probably the most important thing you can do for your feet,” Ragland told The Post.
RELATED: The most comfortable heels, tested by our shopping team
The next time you go to a shoe store, figure out the form of your foot: Do you have a flat foot, a high arch, pronation (inward rolling of the foot) or supination (outward rolling of the foot)?
“Most ready made shoes don’t accommodate narrow or wide feet which are common,” she said. “Many people then compensate for width by buying a bigger size when they need something shorter but they can’t fit into it. This can lead to getting bunions or hammer toes and all sorts of foot ailments.”
Sometimes the old-school methods — such as using a Brannock device that can more accurately measure your feet — are the best.
Stretch ’em out
No matter the style, shoe stretchers are your friend. “I have at least three or four shoe stretchers in my arsenal,” the doctor said.
“Whenever I purchase a new pair of shoes, heels especially, I put the stretchers in and let them sit for a couple of days so that they are broken in before I put my foot into them,” she added.
“You shouldn’t be breaking in your heels or pumps with your feet. These are the best investments you can make for your feet.”
Point to the issue
Dr. Ragland — whose Fix Your Feet product line includes compression wraps, sole sticks and ointments — is busting the myth that pointy shoes are always the enemy.
“The truth is that it depends on your foot type,” she said. “Those with super narrow feet might actually fare better as their big toe and smaller toes archetype have a natural parabola.”
Have a backup plan
Many podiatrists advise against wearing heels altogether, but Ragland admits that’s not “realistic.” She does warn against wearing them for eight hours at a time — or wearing them on concrete. A “safety pair” of shoes you can slip into can help.
Interestingly, she does warn against walking barefoot or in super flat flats, especially if you have fasciitis.
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