Today, most information about foot health is focused on the use of orthodics and how to control pain, Dr. Wikler's advice is to walk you way to good health. Use this list to evaluate the current condition of your feet.  Click here, for more ideas on how to improve your foot health. For your walking comfort, we have shoes that come in extra large and extra wide sizes to ensure ample room for your toes.  We have lightweight shoes, shoes with a "Rocker" profile for easy walking and shoes with Velcro® fasteners for easy on/off yet secure fit.

1. Outer Toes Strength
Sit in a chair and cross the calf of one leg over the knee of the other leg. Hold your toes with your hand.
Curl your toes, pull back against them with your fingers to try to uncurl them to test their strength.
Excellent - , if you cannot uncurl the fourth and fifth toes.
Fair - if fourth and fifth toes can be barely uncurled, and only with some force.
Poor - if fourth and fifth toes can be readily uncurled.
Very Poor - if there is practically no strength in toes.

2. Toe Spreading
Excellent - if all toes can be spread at least 1/4 inch apart.
Fair - if all toes can be spread somewhat, and some of them at least 1/4 inch apart.
Poor - if there is only slight spreading movement possible.
Very poor - if there is practically no spreading of toes at all.

3.  Bunions (Halux Valgus)
Excellent - if the nearest and distant bone (proximal and distal phalanx) of the great toe are in straight line
                     with long axis of the inner side of the foot
Fair - if only the distant bone of the toe has turned in toward the middle of the foot.
Poor - if the great toe has turned in but less than 15 degrees.
Very poor - if there is more than 15 degrees turning in of the great toe

4. Four Outer Toes Deformity
Excellent - if all four outer toes are straight and not deformed.
Fair - if just the ends of the little toe and the toe next to it curve inward
Poor - if all four outer toes are permanently squeezed together
Very Poor - if outer toes are not straight, and are also permanently pushed back toward the top of the foot.

5. Movement of Hips (Internal Rotation)
Sit on the floor, stretching out your legs until the knees are stiff, feet about 25 inches apart. 
Keeping your heels on the ground, turn your feet inward toward each other.
Excellent - if the sides of both big toes can easily touch the floor
Fair - if they come within an inch of the floor
Poor - if up to three inches away from the floor
Very poor - if more than three inches away from the floor

6. Shortened Calf Muscle 
Excellent - if foot can be bent back from the front of the leg 30 degrees or more.
Fair - if that flexion is less than 30 degrees but more than 15 degrees.
Poor - if less than 15 degrees but more than a right angle
Very poor - if a right angle or less.

Alternate test:
Your Calf Muscle can also be tested by trying to touch their toes without bending your knees. 
This is not recommended as a corrective exercise because of the possibilities of back strain.
Excellent - if flat of your hand can be placed on floor while knees are stiff
Fair - if you can reach to within an inch of the toes
Poor - if tips of your fingers are one to three inches away from your toes
Very poor - if tips of your fingers are more than three inches away 

7. Foot Turned Out when Walking or Standing
Excellent - if long axis of foot and leg are on a straight (saggital) line when both walking and standing
Fair - if feet are slightly turned out when walking and not standing, or standing and not walking
Poor - if both feet are slightly turned out but less than 15 degrees.
Very poor - if both feet are turned out more than 15 degrees.

8. Muscle Depth on Bottom of Feet
Excellent - if on pressing your finger in the bottom of the foot you flesh is so thick that the bones cannot be felt.
Fair - if you cannot feel the bones through the muscle but there is just a thin layer of muscle.
Poor - if you can feel the bones through the muscle layers on the bottom of the foot.
Very poor - if you feel bones without very much tissue intervening.