Summer sandals?
 

Hello,

Well it's this time of year again, but unfortunately the warm weather calls for sandals, and for me that is a painful ordeal.

I went out yesterday and tried on over 30 pairs, no kidding, many stores, many sandals, however they all hurt the top of my feet so badly.

The top of my feet is where my neuropathy is very painful! Some felt ok, then after a few minutes they hurt.

Any seams in the soles I could feel 10 times greater than what a person with out neuropathy would feel, I assume that anyway.

For having a disorder that one of my main symptoms is numbness, I sure can feel the slightest seams in any shoes, especially sandals since they are worn bare foot.

I almost fell trying a few pairs on, with out a back strap, the sandal was to large, and due to the numbness in my feet, I could not even tell my foot slid out.:eek:

Well I am afraid the days of wearing cute sandals are in the past, but I suppose there could be much worse things, so I will try not to feel sorry for myself for very long and carry on.:)

I ended up getting a pair of Clark's they are cute sandals, cushioned on the sole so they are comfortable, the top part is bearable, and they were not extremely expensive 52 dollars.

Patty

Hi Patty, the Clark's sound good. The weather is definitely changing and that's something to think about when it comes to sandal shopping.:)

I am the opposite with numbness - I can walk around with a twig in my shoe without being aware of it because I just can't feel it. This of course brings it's own set of problems, and I have to regularly check my feet/ legs for injury otherwise it can easily get out of hand.

But I do understand about the pain thing with shoes, as before I went numb I had 6 months of extreme burning pain. The only thing that worked for me was to carry around several pairs of shoes, and change them often. Rotating shoes really seemed to help me as I couldn't wear anything for very long.

best of luck with your new shoes - I loathe shoe shopping and find it very depressing. I am very limited in the shoes I can wear as i wear AFO's (ankle foot orthotics - they come up to my knees and have to fit into my shoes).

hth

raglet

Crocs has a pair of sandals with just a strap across the arch of the foot and one thin one across the toes. Those work great for me! And then at Walmart the other day I found a pair of Dr. Scholls thong type sandals that have a thick part across the arch that are wonderful, too. The part across the arch keeps your foot from going forward against the part between your toes and causing a sore, too. The Crocs sandals weigh almost nothing. When I first tried a pair of Crocs, the little nubbies inside felt like little jagged pebbles on the soles of my feet, but in a very short time I was totally used to them and they didn't feel that way anymore. I actually think they helped my feet. My feet are very, very sensitive in addition to being numb. Only other neuropathy sufferers would understand that. I can't even stand to have socks on my feet so the less shoe I have, the better.

I DON'T recommend the Curves flip flops from Avon! They're heavenly cushiony and have the thicker strap across the arch so your foot won't go forward against the thing between your toes, but they're an exercise sandal designed to work your leg and buttocks muscles and tone them. I wore mine into Walmart and before I had gone very far, my buttocks were screaming "WHAT were you thinking, woman!?!?!? We're 63 years old and in retirement!" I just couldn't stand it and had to visit the shoe department to get something else. That's how I found the Dr. Scholls sandals.

About 10 years ago - I bought a pair of Dr Marten's sandals.

That was back when they were made in England. They were very expensive.

I could not wear them. The leather above my toes was so stiff it hurt my toes.

I still see them in the closet and ........ wish I could wear them.

A few months ago - I noticed some claw-toe going on (right foot). I put on my trusty old Dr Martens boots - was going to go for a motorcycle ride. I could not walk without pain.

I've had those boots for maybe 15 years and did not want to part with them. I went all creative and altered them ...... it worked. I put some slits above my toes - that gave the room/flex I needed.

Then I went deep deep into toe/foot exercises and got my toes much better.

The boots are not a problem anymore but ...... the sandals still go unused.

Someday i will think of something to fix that stiff edge (thick leather) over my toes. Maybe have a shoe shop sew some soft leather over the stiff part.

I haven't had "cute" shoes for over 20 yrs! :rolleyes:

I currently use Crocs now around the house. But I do have a pair of wide athletic shoes for shopping.

I use Arcopedico for dress-- the stretchy nylon really protects the toes. I have to put a cushion in them tho...they are hard soled.

They last a long time.
Many places sell them. This is what they look like and I don't mean to endorse the site at all:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7328339/c/3.html

I have a high instep, and I think that alone has been difficult for me shoe wise. For the guys, this problem is alot rougher, IMO.
Guy shoes are always uncomfortable looking to me.

These are the Men's choices... they do have sandals with the mesh. That mesh is really nice and comfy, and durable.
http://www.shoesfinder.com/Arcopedico/index.html

Shoe shopping is torture to me. I have heard others wearing crocs but for me in every weather element I wear nike walking shoes and have them in varing sizes due to swelling. I sometimes in the summer will wear them with no socks which I know is gross but pain control at this point over everything else. I have seen sports shoes that are like sandles but with a thinck strap over and more cushioning. I have read that like flip flops are horrible for the feet and support though

How about SOLES? Can you wear supported flip flop sandals?
They have an orthopedic support built into the sandal.
http://www.solesandals.com/


I bought a pair of Merrels, they are also a good supportive brand.
http://www.merrell.com/us/#store/W/W...yle=W-F-F-S-SA

I wear either NB Hook & Loop Walkers, or Dr Scholl's Velcro walkers (with gel insoles and cushion insoles on top of the gels), when out of the house, all the time.
Different colors and slightly different looks, works for most occasions, other than very formal.
In the house, I immediately change to very soft moccasin type, BR slippers with a rubber sole.

Flip-Flops cause the toes to grip, and the foot to arch- in a manner it shouldn't, every time you take a step.
This puts an undue amount of strain on the muscles and bones of the feet and most podiatrists will say to shy away from them at all costs. (my uncle was a surgical podiatrist at NIH, & private practice)

A good sandal that has an adjustable ankle strap, an adjustable heel strap, and a strap that is adjustable over the toe area, just behind the toes, is preferable.
I need a very soft cushioning insole and padded straps, because of my sensitivity to pressure.
I've many pairs of sandals, but cannot wear any of them for more than an hour or so. I've never found a pair that is soft enough or comfortable enough.
Walking in them for any length of time is painful, to say the least.

Sheep Skin
 

Just spent some time looking for sheepskin electric wheelchair covers on some sheepskin sites, many of them have other medical products..... they had sheepskin for sandals - you might just do a search for such products - looked super comfy....