Mary Romanos

Footwear that looks good and works: What can my patient wear when they don't want to wear an athletic shoe?

Footwear is an integral part of podiatric management, yet the conversation in clinical practice often ends with the recommendation of a supportive athletic shoe. But what happens when the patient doesn't want to wear one? Whether they need footwear for work, social occasions, warmer weather, travel or simply prefer a more fashionable aesthetic, patients frequently ask for alternatives to traditional runners. This presentation will explore the intersection of fashion and function, providing podiatrists with a practical, contemporary footwear toolbox for patients whose footwear must do more than simply accommodate an orthosis. Specific models for both men and women will be explored across casual shoes, lifestyle sneakers, boots, dress shoes and sandals, with consideration of fit, construction, adjustability, durability, protection and compatibility with foot orthoses.

Through clinical cases, the presentation will demonstrate how footwear can be matched to specific conditions and patient requirements, including plantar heel pain, hallux abducto valgus, forefoot pain, osteoarthritis, pes planus, Achilles and tendon pain, and patients requiring orthoses or increased foot protection. Rather than simply presenting a list of “good shoes”, attendees will learn how to identify the features that make a particular style of footwear clinically useful and then translate those features into realistic choices.

The presentation will provide a practical framework for moving from “You should wear a supportive shoe” to “Here are three options that will work for your foot, your orthosis, your lifestyle and that you might actually want to wear.” The emphasis will be on balancing clinical requirements with patient preference, recognising that the most effective footwear recommendation is ultimately one that the patient is willing and able to wear. Attendees will leave with practical recommendations for specific footwear models, an understanding of their strengths and limitations, and greater confidence in offering patients clinically appropriate alternatives when an athletic shoe simply isn't an option.

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Mary Romanos

Mary Romanos is an Endorsed Podiatrist of Scheduled Medicines with 16 years of experience in private practice. She has been the Managing Director of Camberwell Road Podiatry Practice for the past five years, alongside her ongoing clinical practice. Her clinical interests have focused particularly on the diagnosis and management of foot and ankle pathologies.

Mary completed a Bachelor of Podiatry with First Class Honours, with her research subsequently published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research and presented at the National Australian Podiatry Conference.

Throughout her career, Mary has maintained a strong commitment to clinical education, professional development and mentorship. She has supported the education and development of emerging podiatrists from both La Trobe University and Monash University. More recently, Mary was appointed by the Governor in Council as a Specialist Member in Podiatry at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), where she provides specialist consultation on matters relating to podiatry.

Mary’s interest in footwear has developed directly from her clinical experience. Early in her career, working with patients across Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs, she was repeatedly faced with a familiar clinical dilemma: what can I recommend when my patient needs supportive, functional footwear but simply does not want to wear a running shoe?

As both a clinician and practice leader, Mary brings a practical, patient-centred approach to footwear selection, recognising that successful footwear recommendations need to work not only for the patient’s feet, but also for their lifestyle. Ultimately, the most effective footwear recommendation is one the patient is willing and able to wear.