My pn pain is currently being managed pretty well. I even was able to walk barefoot in the house this week! My question, though, is now I'm having shoe problems that aren't pn involved. I work retail and am on concrete 9-10 hrs day. I've always had hammertoes but now am getting callous/corn/something painful on top of some of the toes. Apparently my toes are curling up more than before...we're working on finding out why, but in the meantime I must have something on my feet!

Because of the hammertoes I've always bought shoes with deep toe boxes but now am not sure where to look since I am not finding anything with deeper toe boxes than what I already have. Does anyone have any recommendations? I have to have a closed toe and heel and prefer lace ups so I can customize the fit better. If I can find anything with a deeper toe box with steel toes I will go with that since I was told to protect my feet better due to loss of sensation. Of the shoes that I can wear, the best brands so far have been Ariat, Earth and Born.

Currently am waiting for dr office to get me in with podiatrist or ortho to further discuss the hammertoes. Until then, though, I need some relief! Has anyone tried custom shoes? If so, how was that experience? I've also thought about trying diabetic shoes but the ones I've seen online don't look any deeper in the toe box than what I already have. Help!

I just got shoes yesterday from a place that makes Prosthetics & Orthotics. My insurance even paid for them because my Dr requested them as durable equipment due to some problems I am having with my feet. These places specialize in shoes for people like us. For deep toe boxes, look especailly for shoes designed for diabetics.

You can also go on line to FootSmart.com. They specialize in shoes for people with special needs too.

Hope this helps. Good luck. I know how important shoes are.

I wear New Balance Walkers. they come in lace-up or velcro.
Deep toes boxes, soft comfy fit. I also insert gel insoles to cushion better.

I also wear the Velcro New Balance Walkers but don't need the jel insoles. Use as is...great shoe...very comfortable...reasonably priced.

I work in a Corporate Office and it's not the corporate uniform, but I get to be the exception! (Our lab techies wear white shoes in the lab, so I pretend I'm wearing them so I can go into the lab).
The New Balance shoes have a Wide Toe Box. I wear the lace up ones, and on bad days, I loosen the laces almost all the way.
When they get a little older, I buy the inserts and it feels like a new pair of shoes all over again.
I also wear them with my Diabetic Socks. (I buy them at Walgreens) They are soft, cushiony and no seams near the toes to irritate me. The tops of my toes are very sensitive and I am very picky about shoes!

I have wide feet with large bunions and a narrowish heel. I need a big toebox, but not heel. I buy Mephistos. They are expensive, but they have what is probably the most absorbent sole made. And what's more, they guarantee their shoes for life. So if you buy a shoe for $250, and it's getting messy looking or worn 5 years later, you can send it back for refurbishing.

I've unfortunately grown a size, so my size 8 mephistos dont all fit me anymore, and I've had to move on to size 9s. But they are well worth it; I wear these shoes exclusively.

Wow! I just found their website!
http://www.mephisto.com/PublishOnlin...0_Introduction

If you find a pair you like, you can then froogle them. I've been given size 9 shoes from a friend who is now a size 10, and they are perfect. These are definitely shoes that can be passed along or bought used.

i ALSO GET A SCRIBE FOR DIABECTIC SHOES. bUT SENT MY aUNT
A CATALOG FROM FROM fOOTSMART.COM SHE LOVES THERE HAMMERTOE
PRODUCTS. AND NO QUESTION IS SILLY. GOOD LUCK SUE

I juat bought some new shoes yesterday. I tend to prefer rubber soles,as they are better for my back. Even before my PN, I had to wear squarish wide toe boxes. I have solved me foot/shoe issue by buying shoes up to one size larger. This allows me to wear most shoes.

Thanks for the great resources everyone. I glanced through the footsmart website yesterday...will look more in depth today. Mephisto link is booting as I type (lovely dial up connection).

I found diabetic socks last year and they have been a godsend. Got mine at WalMart but have seen them even in the local farm supply store! I haven't tried any on any other shoe brands since my feet are better, but Nike was the only athletic shoe that felt even remotely acceptable when my pn was acting up. I'm off work today, so maybe a trip to the local shoe store is in order. My dress code allows athletic footwear but they tend to dress down the outfit so it will probably be "granny shoes" for me since I really do need the adjustability of lace ups. Like another poster I have to redo my laces as the day goes on to remain comfortable.

Until pn came into my life I wore a ladies size 10 shoe. Went up to 11 to try to find more comfort and since one of my arches has fallen a bit. The downside is that on the foot with the remaining high arch I get a lovely callous around the back of the heel--goes beautifully with the new ones on the toes on my feet .

Script diabetic shoes...how are they different from the ones that can be purchased online? Went to ebay and they had several as well as the footsmart website. I'm just a wee bit scared to purchase without trying on first (just in case!)

pt

I like the velcro because they can be adjusted in less than a second (literally) either toe area or instep.
They also arr good with the arch insole removed and a gel and cushion insole put in for flat feet or fallen arches.
Try here:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1205597/c/3.html
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...t=ssdpa1011-xs
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/informat...ageType=method