Since I am hanging around the board today, I wanted to share a tip for those of you who have resurgences of symptoms from walking. I was in the same boat for a long time: I had to walk slowly and very softly (like on eggshells), otherwise I was suffering a lot from the jarring. I spent a lot of time and money this past year to try to find comfortable (cushioned) shoes. I did not find anything comfortable enough, and I had finally decided to wear running or hiking shoes with good padding most of the time.

Recently I discovered by chance a brand which specializes in shoes for people who have been through back surgery. The shoes have a special technology which minimizes the vibrations transmitted to the spine. The brand offers different styles that almost look like "normal" shoes (for instance, black leathers) except that the sole is thicker. I bought one pair and I felt some relief immediately when I started wearing it. A few weeks after that my problems with walking have almost disappeared and I (almost) walk again like before my accidents, same speed, etc.. The shoes are expensive ($200) but for me it was totally worth it.

I am not going to give the name of the brand here (I don't want this to be interpreted as advertisement, I have no stakes at all in this particular company) but if you have the same problems you can perhaps try to look or ask for equivalents, depending on where you are located. If you don't find any such brand and if you are in Europe you can PM me.