I have such a hard time with open back shoes. Most of them hit my ankle right where the pain is the absolute worst. I tried going a size up but then I can't keep them on my feet...and lord knows I don't need anything else to make me MORE clumsy and off balance...lol! I'm also afraid of something bumping me in the open back...guess I've been run into by too many strollers, carts, etc and I just don't trust people anymore so I like the protection. So I tend to prefer shoes that are like ballet flats because I get the protection around my foot but it's open on top so nothing touching the worst area. The mary jane style has worked out great because I could get it a little large and the strap keeps it on my foot.

Like everything else with RSD, I think it's one of those things you just have to play with and try a lot of different things before you find something that works. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to explain to other people how sensitive my ankle is and why most shoes just do not work...but I think they just can't wrap their heads around how much pain is involved. I felt so bad when my parents got me a new pair of New Balance running shoes the Christmas after I first got RSD. I tried to put them on so many times but I just cry trying to put my foot IN the shoes. I've thought about taking them to a shoe repair place to see if they could take all the padding out around the top...then I might be able to wear them. But so far I haven't ever gotten around to trying that.

I have to say that since giving away almost all my old shoes I at least don't feel so bad everytime I look in the closet at all the things I can't wear anymore. That's like a cruel sort of torture...