I am using my hip replacement as an excuse to buy another pair of shoes, always a silver lining.
On a serious note, buying a stable pair of shoes post-op(eration) is actually very important.
Not only am I having my hip replaced, but, my left leg is being lengthened about an inch. I will quite literally be standing taller after the operation. This means my gait (the manner with which I walk) will be completely different to the one I have now. All this adjusting requires a pair of shoes that will help and not hinder.
Support is key. The route of many people’s aches and pains start with your feet. Back pain can stem from rolling feet arches, which off-sets your center of gravity, causing you to stand unusually, putting stresses on different muscle groups in your back that are not intended for that function. Therefore, I intend to buy a very well supporting shoe to prevent additional aches and pains.
For those of you who have seen, ‘Father of The Bride’ you will remember the daughter’s trainers for her wedding day. For those of you who haven’t, she is adamant a pair of comfy trainers, all dolled up with lace and a bow, are the shoes she wants to wear on her wedding day. This is going to be me, at least for the foreseeable future.
I recently went into the Nike store (Cardiff) and spent a long time talking to the assistant about the type of trainer to best suit my needs. Fashion trainers are out the window; along with the barefoot feel running shoes. A few years ago, I had my weight distribution through my feet measured. I didn’t realise Nike could use this information to help suggest the trainer best suited to me. This not only relates to my post-op situation, the trainer can be tailored to your running style.
Due to my shorter leg and pain when standing, I distribute 90% of my body weight through my right foot. I can literally pick up my left leg and experience no shift in my center of gravity. This is not healthy. My spine has started twisting ever so slightly so that my pelvis doesn’t align with my ribs. I am also flat footed. 70% of my weight travels down into my right heel rather than being equally distributed across both feet, both heels and all 10 toes.
Therefore, personally, I am looking for a trainer to equal out my weight distribution and prevent my arches from rolling.
For anyone considering a trainer for any purpose, I would highly recommend you get your weight distribution analysed and spend some time talking to someone with lots of trainer knowledge!
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