Along with PN, I have arthritis, fibromas in the arch of my left foot, bunions and bone spurs on my instep. The Orthopedic surgeon I saw told me he would not do much surgery on my feet due to the neuropathy. The only thing he will consider is shaving down the bone spurs to hopefully relieve the pain I get from wearing shoes. The downside risk is it could increase the joint pain. So he told me to think about it, get some prescription orthotics and do some PT..

The orthotics have been a nightmare. Only wearing them for an hour a day causes pain in feet and also my knees and back. I'll try to get them adjusted again, but I'm doubtful it will help much.

So since I only have one pair of shoes I can wear comfortably, I got a new pair. Same size, exact same shoe. My feet are so picky that apparently they can feel the difference. The old shoes are nearly worn out. Any advice on how to stretch or break in a shoe? These are Brooks Glycerin shoes that normally I can take out of the box and wear, but no more. I even exchanged them because I thought it may be a factory defect.

For me it is the material on the inside of the shoe that causes problems. If this is an issue for you then maybe they changed the inner material and a comfortable pair of socks could help. I often wear my socks inside out as the outside is usually the softest to the touch. If it's the shoe itself then I am stumped too.

Oh our feet!

I started my adult life as a size 9.5 AA, at age 16. Which in the 1960's was humongous and definitely not in the 'Cinderella' category. But I feel like I've been Alice in Wonderland, waving good bye to my feet (but no magic mushrooms, alas).

After two babies and when I was in my late 20's, my feet became a size 10. Which was stable for 35-40 years. I can't remember. Size 10 N was actually easier to find than 9.5 AA, anyway.

Then at about age 68 my feet were hurting, especially my left big toe (my left foot is largest, I'm left handed). I saw a podiatrist and suddenly I was a size 11B, which required purchase of all new shoes!

But by this time stores were stocking size 11, tho' I did a lot of on line buying. So I had a nice new shoe wardrobe.

Now I am 75 and have severe PN and osteoarthritis. And my feet are now size 12! Another new shoe wardrobe, but this time with PN.

I have to buy all of my shoes on-line, and they must accommodate my braces which have a whole-foot plate which fits below the insole.

I even have some size 12 boots which work, but it is too exhausting to 1) put the braces inside the boots, and then 2) put on the boots with the braces in place.

Just getting dressed with the braces in my 'Mary Jane' type shoes is stressful enough.

I also feel as if my feet are some how dissolving or becoming more shapeless, probably the result of the PN/walking with the braces? I can still 'feel' the bottoms of my feet, tho' they always feel as if they are coated with dried mud, when I flex them.

Even with 3600 MG of Gabapentin they tingle and burn. But I try to ignore all that.

I've had PT for my walking with PN, and then for walking with the braces. I like PT, but I really haven't improved much in my walking, and my back is weak and the lower back muscles hurt when I walk or stand for even a few minutes.

I try to exercise to improve, but something always comes up (back surgery was required last year, which put me out of commission for three months before the surgery and two months afterwards) so I feel like I take 'one step forward and two back" most of the time!

I have orthotics, tho' I don't use mine now. I would think that if orthotics cause pain and stress then there is something wrong with how they fit.

I think you should ask to have new orthotics in this case.

Regards, ElaineD

Yes, I always wear my socks inside out as well - definitely more comfortable. If you have access to Costco, they have very thick and soft white athletic socks that are the most comfortable I have found (inside out, of course)

I also deal with nasty OA feet, right foot worst. All worse since hip replacement on right. Right side of body is the worst. I had otc orthotics and just recently bought a pair from amazon for $25 and they are pretty good. Here are the orthotics, better than the price for custom made:

Amazon.com: Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Insole Orthotics: Shoes

My feet burn in any shoe it seems. I just got a pair of Brooks and they are so so. I haven't worn them much yet. At night after on feet, my feet burn and tingle a lot when I go to sleep, and I prop them up under a pillow under my feet. I believe there is some neuropathy there.

Some days I wear foot support on right foot, today it's wrapped with Ace wrapping.

I sleep every night with Vicks vapo rub rubbed into my feet and wear socks all the time...my favorites are Buster Brown cotton socks and I get them Amazon. No spandex in socks, all cotton.

I,too have had to increase my shoe size to help the pain. I have found the following to be effective: Torin shoes- they have a larger front foot box so your toes can slay out and not feel so cramped. The socks I have found are called Thoros. They are much better than wearing socks inside out, they have pads of soft material inside the sock. You wash them inside out to help keep the inside fluffy. Unfortunately, both the shoes and socks are not cheap, but they have helped me immensely. The inside out sock trick does work some to save money.

Good luck. I also went from wearing size 10 shoes to size 10.5 wide on my regular new balance shoes.