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.

I hadn't thought of putting biofreeze on my feet before putting on my shoes but in the past when I've used it, it hasn't lasted long enough to make it worthwhile. I know it's strange but leather shoes have kept my feet cooler than the other shoes. Never heard of the patches I may try those. Thanks for the med help but what I really need are people's advice on specific shoe brands they've used.

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
 

I got inserts from my Chiro and they were better than the gel inserts from Dr. Scholls. I have a pair of New Balance trainers. I wanted to also mention using Mortons Epsom Salt Lotion on the tops of my feet before bedtime. Helps me w/burning and tenderness. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

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.