|
Shoes for Neuropathy
I'm new to this board and I need help. I suffer from the severe foot pain. I recently when to see a new Podiatrist, the 6th in the last 15 years and he said I needed a different pair of shoes.
The last Podiatrist I saw told me that all leather Brooks shoes were best neuropathy shoe for me. He said I needed to get them 2 to 3 times larger in size (13 1/2) the toe box and get a 4EEE width. I've spent hundreds of dollars and tried many different shoes over the years and none have really helped ease the burning pain I feel in my feet if I wear them any length of time but the Brooks shoe has been better than some of the others I've tried. The new Podiatrist said the Brooks shoes I was wearing were to big and that I should buy a new pair of a shorter length but keep the same width size. He recommended Aztec's but I couldn't find any all leather sneakers or dress shoes on the web that I think would work for me. It seems like every new Podiatrist I've seen has a different theory on shoes and how to manage the pain symptoms. It's very frustrating that there isn't a common standard Podiatrist's can recommend for shoes. I understand that opinions vary on relieving pain symptoms but on shoes there should be more of a consensus. So my question here is what shoes do you wear? I'm open to any suggestions. I do much better wearing all leather shoes. I've tried different shoes that have mesh material on the top or sides and found they don't take long to start making my feet burn. So I'd eliminate them from consideration. I'm so desperate to get a shoe that works better for me. The Brooks shoe has been better than some but there must be better ones. Please don't post links for shoes, trust me I've looked all over the web at just about every shoe made. What I want is good advice from people that suffer from neuropathy and can give me real world information on the shoes that have worked for them. I understand that anyone that makes a suggestion is only that and I don't hold anyone accountable for the choice I make because after all it is my choice. Thanks... Jeff |
I get a wide toe box... I am female, and just buy men's shoes now.
I find that leather enclosed toes get too hot...that increases burning for me. A different type of upper might breathe better. you can try rubbing in Biofreeze on the tops of your feet and toes before putting on the shoes helpful... Wait a few minutes until it dries and sinks in. I have also put Salonpas Patches (original type) on the insteps too, at times. |
Quote:
|
I wear Brooks and Asics sneakers, Softwalk and Drew for dress shoes- womens. I cannot feel my feet at all so just buy a size larger, 13's. I tried wide shoes but couldn't drive in them since I have limited feeling in my legs, it just seemed like the wider shoes got caught between the pedals.
Drew makes mens' shoes too, have you tried them? They are all leather and very smooth inside, with a double depth option. This probably isn't encouraging but I really don't think shoes make a big difference in the burning for many of us. My favorite shoes are Finn comfort sandals. Very pricey but they do not irritate my feet at all. |
these are what i wear and have found the most comfortable. i get my regular length but get 4EEEE width. the adjustable strap works great for me by making it easy to loosen as the day goes on if my feet swell.
http://www.zappos.com/new-balance-mw577-hook-and-loop |
Shoes
My favorite subject here and there is no easy answer. I have so many different shoe attempts. Yes you need a size larger than your normal size. Not 2 or 3 sizes larger. For the toes and top of your foot but your foot should fit somewhat snug. I recommend orthotics to keep your feet formed correctly so you don't develop other issues. If they are too hard your podiatrist should be able to attach a gortex pad to them. I have more numbness than pain but it's a similar situation. I wear flip flops around the house. When socks are an issue I just wear liners. They are very light and wick moisture. I now have a box at the end of my bed under the sheets with an open end so my feet are never irritated by the covers at night. Some podiatrists swear by expensive running shoes. However you have to do whats right for you. I have a cheep pair of casual dress shoes that are comfortable and not too hard. Again I would consider the orthotics. There are also stores that sell diabetic shoes. They tend to be ugly but they have a high top. My right foot is worse than the left and this year I had a bought with planter fashiitis. I started to wear a foot brace (support) that helped.
|
As long as folks are giving shoe reports, I thought Id throw this in:
Ive never gone thru as many shoes, trying to find comfortable ones, since I came down with PN. I have pain, somewhat controlled by the drugs, and some numbness, but nothing is totally numb. I stumbled on the Asics (brand) Contend 2 (model), which is about the cheapest shoe Asics makes. (List for $60 but can be had cheaper) The white part of the sole is of a softer, spongier material than their more expensive model shoes, and there isn't any gel in the forefoot of this shoe. The models with gel in the forefoot aren't comfortable for me. They feel like a lump behind my toes, but my feet already think there is a lump there. LOL. I read a review on these shoes, that the reviewer said they felt like pillows on his feet, & I have to agree. They don't feel so pillowy after you get used to them, but they are about the best I've found. They didn't require any break in, for me, and are made mostly of mesh. I'll continue to buy them as long as they make them. Too frustrating for me to keep searching. They come in a few colors, too. |
I have found for myself, that hard uppers, (inflexible uppers) push down on my toes and balls of the feet and cause pain for me. I do have sesamoid bone problems so I too prefer shoes with soft uppers, no uppers, or nylon mesh or the equiv. Therefore leather is difficult for me.
|
Inserts from Chiropractor
Quote:
|
The only shoes for work/dress I have had any luck with have been Soft Spots Supremes, not the best looking but they accomodate my orthotics and have a wide toe box.
Tennis shoes I have no clue, running type, all leather it doesn't matter they just plain hurt me. I've had some success with my Birkenstock clogs, they provide enough support and are almost as comfortable as thir sandals once they are broken in. When this winter is over I need to look for new shoes and as much as it pains me I think I'm going to look for the velcro close types, so on those bad days they can be a little looser. Just looking at the Soft Spot website I see things have changed again, the one thing I could count on might have changed :mad: My Birkenstock sandals work best for me if I could wear them 100% of the time I would. |
These shoes were made for walking ...
Hi Jeff
Understand your problem - has taken me ages to find shoes. I live rural, in a small country, so my options are limited (yes I could order online but with my feet I really need to try before I buy). I agree with Susanne C. about shoes not making much difference to the burning - it's a case of finding ones that don't add to the problem and are comfortable. Like you I prefer leather over synthetic - leather breathes. Although I haven't got any myself, during my search I found a brand called Dr Comfort (I know they're available in US) they make for both men and women - casual, dress and athletic styles - although a limited range but a variety of sizes. A lot of people with arthritis use them. For athletic shoes I wear a men's New Balance or Avia - not perfect but I really only wear them for physio and again they were chosen for comfort (and price). Most comfortable shoes I've had were a pair of Stegmann sandals (German I think) leather with cork soles (similar to Birkenstocks), with fully adjustable straps. Stegmann make both men & womens. Has taken me 18 mths to find a suitable replacement as my feet deteriorate but recently got a brand called Taos - again adjustable straps but sole is leather over synthetic. So far so good. For the ladies following this thread there is a brand called Ziera from New Zealand (they only do women's shoes) but have a number of orthopedic styles. Quality is good - I have a pair of winter shoes that have lasted 5 years - plain black leather lace-ups - dull but practical and comfortable. Hope this is useful and good luck with your search. |
People with high insteps are going to have more problems I think than others. That high instep creates strain on the toes and balls of the feet. That seems to be my problem. I have to have very thick tongues in my tie shoes for this reason.
|
I've tried many different shoes for my burning soles, and they all start to aggravate the pain after a while. I've had the best luck with Birkenstocks, with or without socks. The wide toe is key for me, and I don't seem to get as much friction from the insole. The open back with the clogs keeps the feet from getting overheated. This may be obvious--and not always practical--but the best luck I've had is to wear shoes that slip off easily and get my feet out of them as often as I can. Also, for me changing shoes several times during the day is helpful.
|
Dr. Comfort work shoes for men has a wide/roomy toe box and is comfortable. A person I know has them.
|
The Only Shoes I Wear
I have high arches which creates extra pressure on the heel and the metatarsal area (ball of the foot). I have custom soft orthotics that are made from cast molds. My orthotist first has me step into a box of very soft foamy material, which he creates the mold from. Luckily, my insurance pays for a new set of these orthotics every year. Otherwise, the cost would be typically around $400.
My actual foot size is 11 1/2 D, but the shoes I buy are 13 6E. The shoes I finally settled on after extensive trial on error, are training shoes manufactured by New Balance. The current NB model number is the 857. http://www.newbalance.com/pd/new-bal...hite_with_Navy They come black or white. Best of luck in your search... |
SHOES Shoes shoes...
Quote:
|
elastic shoe laces - what a difference
feet still hurt but that little bit of extra room is very welcome |
The elastic shoe laces are wonderful, I agree! I use the curly ones which I believe are for kids. ( I get mine at Famous Footwear) If you lace them right you can can just slip into the
shoes and not need to tie them even! ;) There is an alternate lacing pattern too, that helps reduce compression on that instep...every other eyehole in the shoe. I use that too. http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...echniques.html |
Quote:
|
Hi Coriny
Glad to hear the Sketchers sneakers work for you - isn't it great when you finally get shoes that 'work'. I tried the Sketchers but couldn't even get them on my feet due to having high arches and they had little stretch in the upper (I think we're talking the same shoe). Would love to be able to find something like that - comfortable and casual. Looking for a new pair at the moment suitable for spring or autumn (fall) weather - something to slip on if I'm just going into town but it looks like rain and I don't want to get my feet wet. Wet feet = slippery = falls. Have enough of those at home without doing it in public! |
I am an avid runner and will be going next week to a Fleet Feet store to get properly fitted for a new pair of shoes. Fingers crossed but I have noticed an improvement in my tingling feet when I switched over to an older pair of New Balances this week. My wife bought me some Asics and my symptoms started a month later. Will see what happens.
|
Boy oh boy did this one hit home.... I hate shoes now. Cannot enclose my feet for any length of time... My Teva's turned on me and many others. Funny one....... I do best with sand shoes that I buy at the grocery store here in Hawaii where I live... I then buy a ortho soft get to put inside. Not fashionable at all but don't care. I am barefooted a lot around the house and lanai and have to watch closely cause stepping on the smallest thing will send me to the moon ... I am sure you know. I use to wear Birkenstock years ago and that's my next purchase but now need the strap in the back. I will walk right out of sandals :(
|
have you tried the birkenstock birko-balance insoles? i use em in all my shoes, as well as in my wetsuit surfing booties. they improve my comfort levels and, i think, my balance. you can get em on amazon and return them if you don't like them. here's a pic:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...OL._UY500_.jpg |
Wow... have never seen these...I like the way they encase and support the foot. I will check it out...................Thanks or Mahalo as we say here in the islands ...Aloha:)
|
Thanks all. Very informative thread.
Shoes have been a problem with me since I acquired PN. Tom |
...got 'em in my wish cart :) I pounded my feet all day today at work and now am really crippled up :( Let's call it a day :)
|
I like the NB 577 with the hook and loop closure. These shoes are quite comfortable and have a nice wide toe box. Ordinary lace up shoes can be a problem. I've been wearing this brand and model for the past 5 years.
|
Welcome stumblefoot. :Wave-Hello:
|
Quote:
i wear them too |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:00 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
vBulletin Optimisation provided by
vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.