Wide feet can be caused by a number of different things. Common foot deformities, such as bunions, hammer toes or calluses may cause the foot to get wider. Unsuitable footwear, including shoes that are too short or too tight, typically lead to these deformities.
Genetics play a big role in the appearance of wide feet, as some people are born with naturally wide feet. People with flat feet, where the arches of the feet are flattened, are also more prone to wider feet. Age also plays a part as the body’s tendons and ligaments loosen in later life, meaning the foot grows outwards as well as lengthways.
Pregnant women may also find that their feet spread during the second and third trimester. This is caused by the pregnancy hormone relaxin which causes ligaments and joints to loosen. It is not uncommon for women to go up a shoe size during pregnancy. This widening of the feet during pregnancy may be temporary or permanent.
Swelling (edema) can also be the cause of wider feet. This may be temporary, depending on what is causing the swelling and whether it can be treated. Certain health conditions, medications and fluid retention can all cause swelling in the feet.
If you are concerned about the width of your feet, book an appointment with one of the Cadogan Clinic’s expert surgeons to discuss the possibility of surgery for wide feet in London.