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Monday, January 16, 2012

Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes - Dansko.

Dansko
Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes...
Dansko Bett
$160
 Dansko Reeny
$155



More comfortable Dansko shoes! 
It's hard to go wrong with Dansko and these two shoes are no exception. 

Both have a thick, rigid sole which allows for maximum biomechanical control of the foot structures 
(Joints, Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments) 
and therefore allows for 
more protection and comfort. 

Both shoes also offer a wide toebox, 
excellent rearfoot control and a strap for midfoot control. The combination of the rigid sole and these three thing also allows for more biomechanical control and therefore more comfort and protection of the foot, ankle as well as the knees, hips and lower back.

Dansko shoes typically do not accommodate any arch support whether it is over-the-counter or custom-molded but that is usually not an issue because there is adequate arch support built into the shoe. 

Patients sometimes have trouble with proper fitting if they are half sizes and, 
if this is the case with you, I recommend trying the shoes on in a store. 
It is also a heavier shoe than some other brands, which works well for people who are on their feet on hard surfaces for long hours but this can be a problem for patients who are elderly, have muscle weakness or have a history of some neurological problems such as "drop foot".

In general, Dansko shoes offer hard-core biomechanical control but...
they are not for everyone! 

If you work on concrete floors and your feet hurt, give Dansko shoes a try. 

If you continue to have foot or ankle pain even with good shoes, 
I recommend that you follow up 
with a Podiatrist for 
a proper evaluation including x-rays
as you may be walking around on a stress fracture or some other problem that can be treated successfully doing some simple things.


These Shoes are Recommended for Patients with:
*Mild Bunions
*Mild Hammertoes
*Mild Tailor's Bunions
*Mild Morton's Neuromas
*Mild Metatarsalgia
*Mild Halluc Limitus (Limited Range of Motion across the 1st Toe Joint) 
*Mild Tendonitis
*Mild Achilles Tendonitis
*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
*Mild Osteoarthritis
*Mild Plantar Plate Injuries (of the Forefoot Joints) 
*Mild Forefoot Joint Capsulitis


These Shoes are NOT Recommended For Patients with:
*Diabetes
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
*Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
*Drop Foot 
*Charcot Foot
*History of Foot Ulcerations 
*Excessive Swelling
*Hallux Rigidus (No Motion across the 1st Toe Joint)
*Moderate to Severe Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion across the 1st Toe Joint) 
*Moderate to Severe Bunions
*Moderate to Severe Hammertoes
*Moderate to Severe Tailor's Bunions 
*Severe Morton's Neuroma's 
*Severe Degenerative Joint Disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis across any of the Forefoot Joints



I hope all is well!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:)





6 comments:

Claire said...

How do I know if my bunions are mild, moderate or severe? My podiatrist recommended Danskos to me, and that made me excited to have options for cute shoes, and I'm also worried cause a different podiatrist told me not to....

Doctor of Podiatry Discusses and Recommends Shoes. said...

Hi Claire,
No matter what any Podiatrist says - the acid test when it comes to shoes is you! Even if I say the Dansko is the best shoe ever and you try it on and it doesn't feel good - then it's not for you.

When if comes to bunions, you need four things to make sure it doesn't progress or worsen:

1. Thick Rigid sole with no motion across the midfoot or forefoot area.

2. Arch support to prevent over-pronation.

3. A wide, soft toe-box so that there is no pressure on the bunion or toes.

4. Rearfoot control - if it's a sandal it has to have a strap across the back.

A quick google of a "severe" bunion will probably quickly rule out that your bunion is not severe! You probably have a mild or moderate bunion - in which case, Dansko shoes should be okay - assuming they feel good when you put them on...

I ask my patients to bring in a bag of shoes so that we can check them. Next time you see your Pod, take in a bag of shoes to discuss which ones are good for your feet. I find that's the easiest way to make sure you and your doctor are on the same page. It's one thing to tell you what you need, it's another to have a sit down discussion with your doctor while you examine all your shoes. (I recommend taking in only one bag so you Pod has time to get through them all!)

Let me know how it goes...

Cathy McCarthy
:)

Anonymous said...

I think these shoes are so hard. I am not sure how people find them comfortable. When I step down in these shoes it is like stepping on a hard wood floor. No cushion at all. Then they also cause the top of my foot to go numb because they pinch a nerve. I have found others that have the same problem. I just cant wear them. I think they are cute, comfortable heck no. lol.

Doctor of Podiatry Discusses and Recommends Shoes. said...

Hi Anonymous,
Yes, the Dansko's aren't for everybody! They give aggressive biomechanical control and they do not work for everyone. If you like a softer interior, try the Wolky Cloggy with a closed toe. They give fabulous biomechanical control but have a softer inside.
Thanks for reading!!
Cathy
:)

Tracey said...

When I found your blog last week, I nearly wept with joy...I love cute shoes, my feet do not. Now I have brands, styles, and advice to find fun comfortable shoes! Thank you! I was in New Hampshire this weekend (I live in Quebec) and I visited The Walking Company and got a pair of Dansko mary janes ("Betty") and Aetrex sandals ("Lori"). My feet are so happy! Again, THANK YOU!

Doctor of Podiatry Discusses and Recommends Shoes. said...

HI Tracey,
Thank you for reading! You just made my day!!
Cathy
:)