How often should you buy new shoes? It's an important question, because if you wear broken down shoes you risk hurting yourself. When a shoe breaks down it not only loses its ability to correct your gait, it can throw your stride off and cause injuries.

The standard recommendation for buying new shoes is about every 500 miles. However, variables like your weight, foot strike, and how you care for your shoes may affect that recommendation. The wear you see on the outsides of your shoes has already happened to the midsole. If you see the heels of your shoes wearing down, it's a safe bet the midsoles have already broken down in the same places.

It's a good idea to have at least two pairs of shoes and alternate them daily. Although some people don't want to spend the money for more than one pair of shoes at a time, it might save you money in the long run. When you wear shoes every day they don't have time to dry out adequately, and the uppers disintegrate faster.

So by giving your shoes time to recover properly, you're extending their life. What's more, if you buy the shoes at different times, so one is more worn than the other, you're more likely to notice as the older pair wears out. The difference in their wear will also distribute your weight slightly differently, balancing the stresses on your body.

Make sure you're aware of the mileage you've put on your shoes. Pay attention to your feet and your shoes, and take proper care of them. Buying a new pair of shoes, although it seems expensive, is lot cheaper and more fun than a trip to the doctor to fix an injury.

2) Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3) Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4) Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nail in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.

5) Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6) Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).

7) Alternate shoes – don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8) Avoid walking barefooted – your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet as the rest of your body.

9) Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.

10) If you are a person with diabetes it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.

* Information provided by the American Podiatric Medical Association