My Grandmother had the ugliest feet on earth. Between bunions and hammertoes, corns and warts, she had every ailment known to the foot. Every new pair of shoes had to be stretched and cut to accommodate the outsized bones protruding in all directions. Everywhere we went, her feet would get a look and she was constantly complaining of her oh so sore feet. As I slip on my shoes, I can't help but wonder if my feet could have grown into an ugly mess like grandma's. Fortunately, I became a podiatrist and prevented my feet from getting to the surgical stage. My ingrown toenails were an exception.

Unfortunately, genetics does play a role in your foot structure. Some ladies can run around in high heels their whole life and never complain of any major foot deformities. Many folks are not that lucky. There have been several studies that have linked bunions and other deformities to inheritance but they also showed that shoes and activities play a major role in your foot problems. My grandma worked on her feet all her life in fancy shoes that did not accommodate her genetic predispositions and her feet turned into a disaster. I had a good chance of inheriting the ugly disaster if I did not take the proper steps to protect my feet.

Like all medical conditions, prevention is the best medicine. It is important to make sure you are wearing the proper shoe gear for your foot type and your activities. Most people wear their shoes too small and this can severely aggravate foot conditions. Some shoes are great for some deformities but horrible for other problems. For example, Clogs are good at relieving pain caused by some Achilles tendon problems, but clogs severely aggravate hammertoes.

Make sure you are being properly fitted for your shoes and consult your podiatric physician to learn about shoes that are best for your foot type. Unfortunately, it will be suggested to wear high heels in moderation since they aggravate almost every foot ailment.

Don't stop with shoes! You can also prevent foot problems by exercising and stretching. Doing a few stretches daily can save your feet from surgery. Your podiatric physician can best assess your foot issues and inform you of the best stretches and resources. It is important to take these conservative steps first and pay close attention to the changes in your feet. Even if you already are noticing some foot deformities, there is still time to save your feet! You and your podiatrist can use conservative treatment to prevent your feet from becoming grandma's painful ugly feet.