Podiatrist known as ‘Queen of Toes’ lays out rules for safer shoe shopping

Dr. Yolanda Ragland, a foot surgeon who calls herself the “Queen of Toes,” urged consumers to prioritize fit and preparation when buying shoes, saying those steps are the best way to avoid common, preventable foot problems.

“Proper fit is probably the most important thing you can do for your feet,” Ragland told The Post. She advised shoppers to determine their foot type — including flat feet, high arches, pronation or supination — and to have feet measured accurately rather than relying on a familiar size.

Ragland recommended using a Brannock device, the traditional instrument used in shoe stores to measure length and width, and warned against a common compensatory habit: buying a longer shoe to accommodate width. “Many people then compensate for width by buying a bigger size when they need something shorter but they can’t fit into it. This can lead to getting bunions or hammer toes and all sorts of foot ailments,” she said.

For shoppers who wear heels, Ragland said shoe stretchers are a better way to break in footwear than wearing painful shoes until they loosen. “Whenever I purchase a new pair of shoes, heels especially, I put the stretchers in and let them sit for a couple of days so that they are broken in before I put my foot into them,” she said. “You shouldn’t be breaking in your heels or pumps with your feet.”

Ragland said whether a pointed toe is harmful depends on the anatomy of the wearer’s foot. Contrary to widespread belief, pointy shoes do not automatically cause problems for everyone; people with narrow feet may experience less pressure across the toes because of a natural toe alignment. She recommended that shoppers consider their own toe shape when evaluating styles.

The surgeon also addressed how long and where heels are worn. While many podiatrists caution against heels entirely, Ragland called an outright ban unrealistic for many people. She advised against wearing heels for eight-hour stretches and warned about prolonged walking on hard surfaces such as concrete. Keeping a lower-heeled or flat “safety pair” on hand to switch into during long days can reduce stress on the foot.

Ragland cautioned against two other extremes: walking barefoot and wearing extremely flat, unsupportive shoes. Both can exacerbate or contribute to plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Her Fix Your Feet product line includes items such as compression wraps, sole sticks and topical ointments designed to treat and prevent common problems.

Clinical reasons for Ragland’s recommendations are well established in podiatry literature: incorrect fit can force toes into unnatural positions, producing bony deformities such as bunions and hammertoes over time; inadequate arch support and repeated stress on the plantar fascia can lead to chronic heel pain; and prolonged pressure from high heels shifts weight forward, increasing forefoot load and altering gait.

Ragland urged shoppers to test shoes in the late afternoon, when feet are typically at their largest, and to buy shoes that feel comfortable during a brief walk in the store rather than relying on a break-in period at home. She said consumers should be mindful of both length and width and look for styles that accommodate their foot mechanics rather than forcing the foot to adapt to the shoe.

Her guidance follows broader public health advice encouraging footwear choices that reduce the risk of long-term musculoskeletal issues. Small changes — accurate measurement, use of stretchers for new heels, carrying a backup pair and avoiding prolonged heel wear on hard surfaces — can reduce the likelihood of seeking medical treatment for conditions that can otherwise become chronic.

Ragland’s advice is practical: know your foot type, ensure accurate fit, prepare new shoes with tools not pain, and adopt realistic strategies for wearing heels. Those steps, she said, are the simplest measures people can take to preserve foot health and avoid common, often preventable problems.