[Brue]

http://www.zcoil.com/

https://shoes.zcoil.com/



I feel compelled to share this with the fellow sufferers on this board. I can personally endorse this footwear, it's different from any other shoe/sandal/boot that's ever been invented. Since my neuropathy is in my feet, I have most of the usual symptoms - burning, stinging, crushing sensations, walking on rocks (my favorite), stabbing pain, etc.

I was merely shopping for regular shoes, thinking about putting in an insert in order to pad the shoe. Forget it. All it did was create pressure on the soles of my feet. Then the nice lady recommended Z-Coil. She brings out a pair of tennis shoes with a spring for the heel. I put it on, started walking around, and couldn't believe it. I also have a pair of sandals. Took SO MUCH pressure off my feet, and also helps the back, legs and anything else you can think of. I would recommend them to ANYBODY, let alone a neuropathy sufferer, but particularly to them. Check it out. It costs more, maybe you can see if your insurance will cover them, because they are certainly a medical necessity once you try them. Numerous styles. They repaired my coil when it came loose, they are sympathetic to that. Bruce

[mrsD]

I have a pair Gravity Defyer shoes. They help me walk better, mostly I think since the shock to the knees and hips is less. For people with heel spurs these coil in the heel shoes can be very helpful.

http://gravitydefyer.com/?gclid=CJT3...FacWMgoddBcAow

I have seen reviews online that buying them online is iffy....fit is not
really good, and one should really go in person to a store that
carries them. The website has lists of stores you can visit.

I think the quality of the assembly of the shoes is less than
Nike or New Balance, but I like the coils in the heels for these myself. Read reviews however before buying, as they are expensive.

I see this website has new versions. The older ones had a logo of a ---cough cough-- sperm! When I asked the sales person about it she laughed and said it was a tadpole... but I don't like it on my shoes. I see they have dropped the little sperm fellow.

This one is similar to mine...
http://gravitydefyer.com/Ladies-Ball...&category=9594

I don't think the toe box is as roomy as other shoes, and that might be an issue for some PNers.

I know a guy who bought a coil shoe and it was over $300.

[Brue]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I have a pair Gravity Defyer shoes. They help me walk better, mostly I think since the shock to the knees and hips is less. For people with heel spurs these coil in the heel shoes can be very helpful.

http://gravitydefyer.com/?gclid=CJT3...FacWMgoddBcAow

I have seen reviews online that buying them online is iffy....fit is not
really good, and one should really go in person to a store that
carries them. The website has lists of stores you can visit.

I think the quality of the assembly of the shoes is less than
Nike or New Balance, but I like the coils in the heels for these myself. Read reviews however before buying, as they are expensive.

I see this website has new versions. The older ones had a logo of a ---cough cough-- sperm! When I asked the sales person about it she laughed and said it was a tadpole... but I don't like it on my shoes. I see they have dropped the little sperm fellow.

This one is similar to mine...
http://gravitydefyer.com/Ladies-Ball...&category=9594

I don't think the toe box is as roomy as other shoes, and that might be an issue for some PNers.

I know a guy who bought a coil shoe and it was over $300.

Don't know what coil shoe that was, but these are around $200 and below. Check the prices before you start throwing numbers around. The coil shoes are FAR AND AWAY more effective than anything else in relieving stress and pain in the feet. There's just no comparison, you have a full three inches or so of give in each step. The toe box? You can take them in and they will stretch them for you. I had them do it for me. Also, the arch was a little pronounced on the sandals, and it rubbed, so they melted the hard plastic
to my satisfaction. The whole thing is revolutionary, and it's worth every penny - the guy worked on these shoes for years. You should try it, Mrs. D! You'll never go back to the 18% trampoline shoe or whatever sales tactic they're using on you! Come to the Z-Coil. It calls you

[mrsD]

I've had mine stretched 3 times. The effect seems to be temporary on the nylon fibers for me.

I don't have that much pain in my feet from walking. I also have sesamoid issues, and high arch, so I'd have to walk in them to see if either of those problems are aggravated.

I'll consider it, thank you. I only wear my Gravity Defyer's for short periods because of the toe box problem.

My next pair will be a New Balance. I've had great results from my current pair.

I use a special type of shoe lace that does not confine tightly the instep. They are curly and stretchy so compression on the top of the foot is much less. To find others in different lengths and colors Google
"coil shoe laces".
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=curly...5&tx=99&ty=100

These are available online or at Famous Footwear locally.
They make it easy to put shoes on, as you don't have to tie them once they are laced in.

Also I use the alternative lacing pattern suggested by this site:

http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...echniques.html

For people here with Tinel's sign on the top of the foot, alternative lacing can take pressure off nerves and reduce numbness and other symptoms.

I have several different biomechanical issues with my feet, besides the PN one. That is why I suggest all PNers to have a complete exam by a podiatrist to find any complicating factors.

[Stacy2012]

I had a pair of these and I LOVED them.

They were stolen from my locker, never spent the money to get another pair.

[echoes long ago]

Brue throttle back on your aggressive responses to someone who is going out of their way to help you. No one here owes you anything, they are doing you a favor by answering and trying to help you.

[Brue]

Originally Posted by Stacy2012

I had a pair of these and I LOVED them.

They were stolen from my locker, never spent the money to get another pair.

These things are the best. There's nothing even close. It would be a bad day if somebody stole mine and I couldn't get them replaced. I can't see myself in regular shoes. Too painful. Best of luck.

[Brue]

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

Brue throttle back on your aggressive responses to someone who is going out of their way to help you. No one here owes you anything, they are doing you a favor by answering and trying to help you.

Thanks for the tip, but if someone was trying to help me with this, I don't need it. Far as I can tell, Stacy and I are the only two who have actually worn these things, so you should be listening to me. You should try these. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Once you try these things, you could never go back to a regular shoe, it's not an option.

[mrsD]

While Z-coil shoes may be helpful for reducing IMPACT wear on the feet, and hence the legs/knees/hips/back...there is little mention about them for PN pain.

Here is a link explaining the types of accidents you can have wearing them:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Z-Coil-Shoes...00000007020341

Many people with PN have various forms of nerve damage in the feet. Some of this may affect proprioception and balance. So these shoes may not be recommended for them.

Also the personal fittings may not be available to all, since the numbers of stores are scattered only in populous areas.

I certainly could turn an ankle easily from the looks of them.
The Gravity Defyer did not help my feet much, in fact my feet hurt more with them, but I can walk more easily and my knees and back feel better. I won't be getting another pair, therefore.

The fellow I know had the heel enclosed Z-coil and that one is much more expensive.
His looked like this one, but he didn't tell us the NAME of the maker, and for all I know it was something else entirely.
https://shoes.zcoil.com/StyleDetails.aspx?style=29

Z-coils do not come in widths either, or 1/2 sizes.

So while they are perhaps good for some, they may not be appropriate for those with balance/stability issues, extra wide feet, or other problems with the foot. Best to check with your podiatrist before embarking on them.

[groucho]

Maybe not nearly as good, but will only cost you about $3.00 to try, are some Dr Scholls Extra Thick foam insoles (available at Wal Mart). I removed the factory insoles in one of my pairs of athletic shoes, and replaced them with the Dr Scholls. I found them considerably more comfortable than the factory insoles & I had thought these shoes were pretty good to begin with. Low cost to try & low cost to replace as needed, if you're happy with them. And no, I don't own any stock in Dr Scholls or Wal Mart.