Fitting Issues

When a foot requires medical attention, footwear becomes a crucial part of the patient's treatment, recovery, or rehabilitation.

And since no two feet are alike, it’s imperative to make sure your patient wears appropriate footwear that delivers the right support can help prevent future foot health issues.

To help fit your patient for appropriate footwear, here are four common fitting issues solved.

Different Sizes

While most people are born with different sized feet, some people's feet may change size over time. This can happen due to several reasons:

  • Foot injuries, especially if the injury occurred at a young age when the bones were still developing
  • Foot deformities, which may have been corrected or are still present
  • Repeated use of one foot in a sport, causing the foot to grow a little
  • Lengthening of the feet with age, as the arch gradually collapses, especially in people who have high arches (Note: both feet may not extend at the same rate).

Make sure to measure both feet and fit to the larger size since feet can be different sizes.

Use the Correct Brannock Device®

Not using the correct Brannock Device® may result in fitting issues.

“Shoes are created around a last (the generic mold that creates the size, width, depth and everything for a shoe). Our last is specific to our shoes, and the Dr. Comfort® Brannock Device® helps to measure a foot to be worn in our shoes accurately. Because other shoe companies have different lasts, the Brannock Device® may not work for all shoes accurately,” shares Brian Lane, Dr. Comfort® Education Director.

To use the Brannock Device® correctly, follow these tips.

Use the Display Tower

While a display tower can help educate and build brand awareness for Comfort® shoes and accessories, it can also assist with proper fit. A Dr. Comfort display tower allows the patient to try on Dr. Comfort® shoes so you and the patient can see which size fits and feels best for their foot. The display offers men’s sizes from 8 to 14 and women’s sizes from 6 to 11 in size wide width.  This is particularly helpful if they are in-between sizes. Allow them to walk around with the shoe to see how it feels.

Note: The Brannock Device® and display tower together are $199. Contact us for more information.

Measure Certain Time of Day

Fit your patient for footwear around the similar time they will wear the shoes. For daily footwear, have your patient come in when they’ve been on their feet all day so you can measure and fit them when their feet are expanded.

Re-Measure Each Time 

Whether it’s been a few months or few years, re-measure your patient’s foot each time.

A patient’s foot size changes with age, weight changes, and other factors. So, correctly assessing the feet and having them try on the shoe will help resolve any fitting issues.

Correctly fitted footwear can prevent long-term foot problems.

Order for Dr. Comfort® footwear

The contents of this blog were independently prepared, and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

Neither Dr. Comfort nor any of its subsidiaries dispense medical advice. The contents of this article do not constitute medical, legal, or any other type of professional advice.

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