MD Podiatrist Provides Advice on Buying Running Shoes for Flat Feet

Flat feet can cause instability of the foot bones, which then puts more stress on ligaments, tendons, and muscles, explains Daniel Michaels, DPM. “These structures try to stabilize the foot, and as a result, they can get injured or damaged in the process,” he says. “One thing to keep in mind is that having flat feet isn’t necessarily bad. There are many people with flat feet that have no problems at all.”
 
 
A shoe or running store with experienced workers is your best bet for finding a shoe that really fits. Most places will even let you jog around in it for a trial run to make sure you have the right size, says Dr. Michaels, who warns against skimping on a good pair of running shoes. “The materials in the shoe are extremely important for promoting good foot function and for dealing with the increased forces runners put on their feet.”