DANSKO THEA
The Dansko Thea is a comfortable wedge heel for patients with certain foot types. What makes it so comfortable is that it has a thick, rigid sole that offers protection for the foot joints. If you have severe Hallux Limitus or Rigidus (limited range of motion at the 1st toe joint), this may not be the shoe for you. If you have mild to moderate Hallux Limitus, this sandal may be perfect for you as it will not allow any motion across the 1st toe joint, which allows for increased comfort and it may stop or slow the progression of the injury/deformity.
The Dansko Thea also has very good forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control, provided by the straps, that helps with biomechanical control of the foot structures. The arch support is not excellent but it is adequate for most patients. I highly recommend that if you purchase a Dansko sandal, make sure you get one that has rearfoot strapping. If you don't have rearfoot strapping, you have to grip your toes down to stay in the shoes, which causes more mechanical strain to your foot and ankle structures as well as your knees, hips and lower back.
This Shoe is Recommended For Patients with:
*Mild Hallux Limitus (Decreased motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Mild Osteoarthritis
*Mild Achilles Tendonitis
*Mild Haglund's Deformity
*Mild Hypermobility
*Mild Tendonitis
*Previous (but healed) Lisfranc's Fracture or Injury (Please check with your doctor)
*Mild Bunions
*Mild Tailor's Bunion
*Mild Hammertoes
*Capsulitis of the toe joints
*Metatarsalgia
*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
*Mild Over-Pronation
This Shoe is NOT Recommended for Patients with:
* Diabetes
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
*Charcot Foot
*Moderate to Severe Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (Decreased or no motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Severe Fat Pad Atrophy (these patients need more cushion - try the Naot Paris)
*Severe Over-Pronation
*Severe Hypermobility
*Severe Ligament Laxity
*History of Ulcerations
I hope this has been helpful.
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy
:)
27 comments:
The Thea is my favorite shoe this spring and summer -- with its closed toe, I can wear it to work. I've found it looks "ok" with dresses and skirts (as opposed to "ridiculous" with some other comfort shoes). I esp love the architectural heel and sole -- very cool. I wear my black pair a couple times a week, and then have a red pair and a royal blue pair for special occasions. LOL, it's good I didn't know ten years ago that one day I'd be saving my Danskos for special occasions. Goodbye, fashion, hello, feet.
These are really cool looking! But are they as narrow as other Danskos? I normally wear a 7.5W, and though I have slightly wide forefeet, they are narrow in the heel mostly wide because of my tailor's bunions. I once sunk the cash into the classic pair of Dankos clogs only to find that they REALLY aggravated the tailor's bunions, almost "hinging" on them. Do you thing I should give these a chance?
Hi Anonymous,
I would order them on Zappos or another site where you get free shipping and free return - just in case. If you are lucky enough to live in a town where you can go to the store and try them on - even better! Danskos are fabulous but they are definitely not for everyone.
Good luck and let me know how they work out,
Cathy
:)
Hi Elizabeth,
I am right there with you! When we travel and do lots of city walking, I have to wear my Dansko clogs. I'm not quite ready to wear the New Balance 928 for anything other then working out or if I am having foot issues but, talk to me in ten years - I know that is what is going to happen!
Cathy
:)
I can not wear Dansko's, they are not narrow enough for my feet. What do you think about Birkenstock London's shoes? I seem to get extremely fatigued legs very easily, I work as a nurse so I am on my feet 12 hours a day. I have bought more shoes than you can imagine. The wolky cloggy made my legs hurt so bad. Thanks
Just found your blog. Bless you for trying to find decent-looking shoes for us!
Maybe it's my poor searching skills and I've missed it, but is there any chance you've got a recommendation for moderate/severe tendinosis + laxity + hallux limitus + heel spurs + plantar fasciitis? I have a feeling I might be stuck in my boots this summer. Am in my 30s, and style-minded. (If I didn't have these problems, I'd be wearing stilettos.)
Also: do you have any insight into why it is that the manufacturers of these shoes think women want really obvious stitching, bolts, patchwork, a vintage look, dour or super bright colours, etc? Is there some engineering rationale for consistently trying to force this sort of thing on us, or is that entirely due to assumptions about demographics?
This shoe is at least a step away from Raggedy Ann. Thank you!
Hi Anonymous,
The Birkenstock London shoes are great! They meet all the criteria of a god shoe: a thick, rigid sole, arch support, wide toebox and rearfoot control. Let me know how it works out for you.
Thanks for reading!
Cathy
:)
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for reading the blog! I have no idea why shoe designers get into such weird 'Raggedy Ann' designs, but I also hear this complaint about maternity clothing too. My only theory, which I am guessing at, is that they are being designed by men who are guessing what women want...?
Let's see...
Shoe recommendations:
Dansko sandals with rearfoot strapping (go to the website or to 6pm.com) - this is probably your best bet. They usually carry a limited supply at Dillards, unless you are lucky enough to have a Dansko store in your town.
Wolky sandals (Cloggy, Ruby, Tulip or Jewel)
Tsubo Barto
Tsubo low heels with rearfoot strapping
Earthies - a low heel with good rearfoot strapping.
Also, please go to the search box on my blog and put in:
Top 20 Comfortable Dress Shoes (I have two lists)
Top 20 Comfortable Sandals
I hope that was helpful and good luck!
Cathy
:)
Thanks for your reply, I did buy the birkenstock and have worn them for 3 days without leg fatigue or foot pain. They are softening a little but still hard and hopefully this will improve quickly. My feet are pretty happy right now after spending a fortune in shoes that will go to thrift stores.
I just stumbled onto your blog and the first review I see is on my most recent purchase: black Dansko Thea (from a nearby shoe store). I LOVE MY DANSKO THEA shoes! And, I get lots of compliments at the library where I work (sometimes they're noticeable because of the wood floors and me clomping around). In fact, if I don't wear my Dansko Thea (or my previously-purchased through 6pm.com brown Dansko Becky) shoes one of my daily patrons asks why I'm not wearing my cute shoes and she needs to "see some cute shoes today!"
Question: Is it true that if I get used to a Dansko Professional clog in Narrow that I'll be able to "easily transfer over to all the other Dankso clogs in the future"? That is pretty much a direct quote from a salesperson at the nearby shoe store. My main issues: over-pronation, arthritis in the knee, hip alignment issue (same side as knee issue), RLS, narrow heel, tops of big toes curve up a bit at the tips and the left half of my right big toenail is gone (so I'd like to cover it up and would need a large toe-box, but also have sweaty feet so not thrilled with the heavy clog idea except maybe during winter). Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Lara
This is Lara again...you may see this message starting twice as I've had a computer glitch. Anyways, I forgot to mention that I also still have occasional achy pain on the top of my left foot where I had a fracture over a decade ago. The salesperson at the nearby shoe store "rolled" the Narrow Dansko Professional clogs I tried on and though they were still a wee bit tight over that spot I think they'd otherwise do fine. But I'm wondering if clog type shoes may cause more stress on that particular spot than I should do. Thanks.
Dear Cathy,
Thank you for writing this blog! I am already following several of your tips that I found on the Barking Dog Shoe Blog. Purchased the Crocs RX Relief clogs as slippers, using Traumeel regularly, have had custom orthotics made.
I have a bunion on my right foot, and as a marathoner, this has lead to severe inflammation in my second toe. I've had a cortisone shot to try and alleviate it. Only a little relief has resulted.
I live in Boston, and I do feel confident with the two MGH orthopedic surgeons who have advised me. They have said I am NOT a good candidate for bunion surgery.
BUT-I am thinking I need a podiatrist who can advise me on specific running shoes, other everyday issues arising from this problem, etc. Currently wearing the Asics Gel Nimbus with orthotics.
Do you know of a good podiatrist who has the kind of knowledge/similar philosophy to yours in the Boston area?
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Beekley
Cambridge, MA
Hi Lara,
What the sales person told you is typically true. If Dansko works for you, you can usually transition from one style to the next. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. I love Dansko but there are some styles I can't wear because I have a high arched foot so I have had to send some shoes back because they irritated the top of my midfoot area. Just use common sense in that if it hurts, don't get it. If there is too much pressure on that area, particularly if it is a bone spur, it can make it worse so try to avoid any excess pressure.
Thanks for reading!
Cathy
:)
Hi Jennifer,
Without having seen you as a patient, I don't think the Asics gel nimbus are good enough for you! You have forefoot issues so you have to wear shoes that have NO motion or flex through the forefoot area. I'm glad to hear you are wearing orthotics. I would bump up to a maximum motion control running shoe like the New Balance 1540 or even try a Hulu One One. I don't know have any specific recommendations for Pods in your area but I would recommend that you do some research online and try to find a Pod who specializes in conservative, biomechanical treatment of the foot and ankle.
Also, in my opinion, I would avoid any cortisone injections in your forefoot area. They can cause some unpleasant side effects that are not worth the risk. Cortisone injections in the forefoot area are only a short term treatment of the symptoms and it is not addressing the underlying biomechanical problem that typically can be controlled with proper shoes and inserts.
I hope that was helpful!
Cathy
:)
Hi Jennifer,
Google "X-1 Blade", which is a nifty titanium plate that you can put under your insert to decrease motion across the forefoot area. If you purchase them, I would recommend that you get them for both feet. I still recommend that you upgrade your running shoe. The X-1 Blade is no replacement for a excellent shoe - it is simply a way to make an excellent shoe even better.
Please let me know how it works out for you,
Cathy
:)
Cathy,
Thank you so much! I will do ANYTHING to continue running-I love it! I will let you know which new shoes I purchase, and also what happens when I follow up on the other recommendations!
Thanks again-wish you were in Boston!!
Jennifer
Are the Dansko Tasha's as good as the Thea?
Hello,
The Dansko Tasha and Thea are pretty equivalent. I would try them both on and get whichever one feels better. If ordering online, get whichever one you like better. Unless you have some significant and unique foot issues, either one should be appropriate. If you are unsure, check with your Podiatrist.
Cathy
:)
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!
Hi! Your blog is so GREAT!!! What about a Danskos that do not have a back strap? Does that mean that Dansko styles like Tilly, Tory, Sonja, Sophie, etc. are not as good for the feet? Do shoes without back straps not worth getting because there is no/not enough rear foot control?
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for the compliment!! And thank you for reading!
In my opinion, if a shoe does not have rearfoot control, it is not good enough. Dansko shoes are fabulous BUT I would not recommending purchasing any of the Danskos that do not have rearfoot strapping. You are forcing your tendons, muscles and joints to work harder to stay in the shoe, which causes 'tired leg syndrome', mechanical strain, increased chance of injury and increased knee, hip and lower back strain - not to mention forefoot issues like promoting hammertoes because your toes are gripping down to stay in the shoe.
Happy July 4th!
Cathy
:)
Thanks again Dr.!!! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!!!
I appreciate your blog and suggestions. I suffer from bunions and have had plantar faciiitis in the past. In summer I wear Birkenstock Arizona (which I know lack the back strap) and in winter wear SAS Freetime shoes with a Birkenstock insole. I seem to do best with the metatarsal support that offers. What are your thoughts on SAS shoes?
Hi Anonymous,
I like the SAS shoes. Like every other shoe line, there are some that are better and some that are worse. Try to find the SAS shoe with the sole that is thick and has the least amound of bend and flex as they will be more comfortable.
Hope all is well!
Cathy
:)
Wonderful post on sandals for women !!
Nice post on Awesome collection of Shoes and Sandals !!! !!
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