I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the Duchess of Cambridge during her much publicised visit to the Gandhi museum. The media were very quick to point out that her feet needed some care and attention, ignoring the fact that every other inch of her was flawless!

So what exactly is wrong with Kate’s feet? An article in the Daily Mail explains that it looks like Kate has the start of a corn on her little toe possibly caused by wearing pointed, high-heeled shoes usually favoured by the Duchess. High heels cause excessive pressure on the toes and the ball of the foot and this has meant that the fourth and fifth toes deviate towards the centre of the foot.

A change of footwear particularly in the Indian heat would have made the Duchess more comfortable. A lower heeled shoe with a soft upper and a stiff soles would be a more appropriate choice. Wearing heels are a necessity for Kate – we rarely see her in anything else!

It was also noted that Kate has low arches which would cause her feet to roll inwards whilst walking. This could cause pain in her feet, ankles and knees. And if that’s not bad enough for the poor Duchess, it is also thought that she may suffer from a condition called Hallux Limitus which is an enlargement of the big toe joint. Hallux Limitus can lead to arthritis and if it worsens it could lead to a condition called Hallux Rigidus which means that there is no motion in the big toe. It’s surprising that Kate is able to wear heels so much of the time as she’s probably in quite a bit of pain.

A Podiatrist commented on the article and suggested that Kate could benefit from wearing custom made orthotics. A custom made orthotic would help to reduce the pain and improve foot function. An orthotic device would address the movement in the big toe and provide the correct amount of shock absorption. A change in footwear with the addition of an orthotic device would perhaps be more beneficial for the Duchess.

The Podiatrist also observed that Kate’s little toe appears to be migrating underneath the others again due to the choice of footwear. The term for this is a ‘Tailor’s Bunion’ and can lead to the development of a corn on the fifth toe due to the pressure.

It is difficult for women, particularly those in the public eye to choose a shoe that is both comfortable and fashionable. We see women every week with foot problems similar to Kate and in most cases they are caused by footwear choices. . ‘Sensible shoes’ are often thought of as unfashionable and boring, however you’d be surprised at the variety of sensible shoes available from all good shoe shops. Shoes which pinch or rub do not fit well and if you need to ‘wear them in’ they certainly will not fit well! When you try a shoe on it should be instantly comfortable. Always remember to try the pair on, as often people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Avoid pointy shoes, which can cramp your toes and cause ingrown toenails and calluses. Shopping for shoes in the afternoon is also recommended as feet tend to swell as the day progresses.

There is some good news that can be derived from this article however! Our expert Podiatry team can help. Whether it’s the removal of a corn or the prescription of a custom made orthotic device, we’re here to help. Allowing a Podiatrist to treat your feet can help prevent minor problems from becoming major problems. If you have any concerns regarding your foot health make an appointment with our Podiatrist today.