A study conducted by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that:

Nine out of 10 women are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet.
Eight out of 10 women say their shoes are painful.
More than 7 out of 10 women have developed a bunion, hammertoe, or other painful foot deformity. Women are nine times more likely to develop a foot problem because of improper fitting shoes than a man. Nine out of 10 women's foot deformities can be attributed to tight shoes.

We're all susceptible to foot and ankle injuries, but we can reduce our risk for them by wearing properly-fitting shoes that conform to the natural shape of our feet. In selecting shoes, keep this basic principle of good fit in mind: Your feet should never be forced to conform to the shape of a pair of shoes.
Although style is often a key consideration in choosing a pair of shoes, the most important quality to look for in shoes-from a practical standpoint-is durable construction that will protect your feet and keep them comfortable. Shoes that do not fit can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes and other disabling foot disorders.

Well-fitted shoes with a firm sole and soft upper are the best way to prevent nearly all problems with the feet. They should be purchased in the afternoon or after a long walk, when the feet have swelled. There should be 1/2 inch of space between the largest toe and the tip of the shoe, and the toes should be able to wiggle upward. A person should stand when being measured, and both feet should be sized, with shoes bought for the larger-sized foot. It is important to wear the same socks as you would regularly wear with the new shoes. Women who are accustomed to wearing pointed-toe shoes may prefer the feel of tight-fitting shoes, but with wear their tastes will adjust to shoes that are less confining and properly fitted.

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