Podiatrist Recommended Fashion Boots for Winter 2021!

 

Top 20 Podiatrist Recommended 

Women's Boots

Fall 2020 & Winter 2021

It's been a tough year! In honor of making our lives more pleasant and pain-free, I've prepared a top 20 comfortable boot list that I hope proves helpful to you. My personal choice for a winter fashion boot is the Mephisto Hazelina, which I purchased from the fantastic Mephisto store on East Shea Boulevard where they have impeccable customer service and an amazing collection of comfortable and fashionable shoes. Mephisto shoes are expensive, but I consider them an investment in my health and well-being. 

When shopping for a comfortable boot, the most important aspect is to find a boot that has a thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole. It's counterintuitive, but shoes with less motion through the sole means there is less motion through painful joints and that equates to less inflammation, less swelling, less pain, and less damage. A thick, rigid, and nonflexible sole will also decrease mechanical strain on tendons and joints, which means that there is less tired leg syndrome at the end of a long day and it will also decrease strain on the knees, hips, and lower back. You should also avoid any boots with a tapered and narrow toe box as they can cause bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and corns. A dress orthotic should fit nicely into most of these boots, which will help to slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, prevent heel pain, and help with people who have over-pronation and hypermobility. 

I recommend that you shop for shoes after lunchtime when there is more swelling in your feet and ankles. I don't necessarily recommend this for everyone, but I purchase all my shoes one whole size up as I cannot tolerate any pressure on my toes. Don't be afraid to try the next size or width up to see how they feel. Always remember, it's better to have a shoe a little too big than too tight. 

Mephisto Hazelina

Guess Zodiac

Fearne Combat boots by Guess

Kork-Ease Shirome

Dr. Martens Leona (Burgundy Vintage)

Paloma Barcelo Nazare Shearling Boots

Paloma Barcelo Mardin

Circus By Sam Edelman

Madden Girl

Michael Kors 

Haskell Crocodile Embossed Leather Combat Boot

Michael Kors

Glenn Studded Leather Boot

El Naturalista Haya N5175

Sorel Evie Pull On

Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge II Zip

The North Face Thermoball Progressive Zip

AGL Lugged Sole Chelsea

Frye Veronica Bootie

Frye Harness Square Toe Engineer

Eileen Fischer

London Recycled Stretch Knit Bootie

Fly Long Bagu

For more information, check out my article 'My feet hurt - Top 10 things to alleviate foot pain today' at:

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/search?q=my+feet+hurt 

Thank you for reading and I hope that this list is helpful to you! 

Stay safe!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

*********

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Podiatrist Recommended Women's Boots!

Podiatrist Recommended

Women's Fashion Boots

A Blog dedicated to:

How to find good looking shoes

that are good for your feet

and are pathology specific.

Harley-Davidson's Jocelyn Boot

John Fleuvog Hopefuls Luxon

Chuck Taylor All Star Boot

Dr. Martens Jaden Vegan Boot

John Fluevog Piccolomini Boot

Dansko Tami Neutral

Frye Veronica Bootie

John Fluevog Audra

John Fluevog Soft Rock

John Fluevog Anna

Fit Flop Mukluk

Fit Flop Elin

Fit Flop Skandi

These boots are a great option for people looking for all-day comfort and fashion. Remember, no matter what type of boot you choose for yourself, it must meet four criteria to be comfortable: 

First, it must have a thick rigid sole that you cannot bend or flex. A thin, flimsy sole that bends and flexes will cause excess motion through your foot joints, which can lead to an increased chance of injuries such as fractures and sprains, arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, mechanical strain, and PAIN. An excellent shoe is a shoe that limits motion so that you have less pain, less damage, less chance of injury and, an added bonus, prettier feet. As you walk through life, you are either beating up your feet or you are beating up your shoes - if you think what your shoes look like after a couple of years of use - without the protection of a thick rigid sole - that damage is going to be happening to your joints. 

Second, you need arch support. Whether it is built into the shoe, over-the-counter arch support or a custom-molded orthotic - it is important to biomechanically control your arch. When patients say to me that they have great arches and don't need arch support, my answer is that bridges have arches but engineers still put struts under them to decrease mechanical strain. Proper arch support will help decrease knee, hip, and lower back pain as well as stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes and soft tissue injuries such as tendonitis and plantar fascial strain. Talk to your Podiatrist about whether or not your insurance plan pays for you to get custom-molded orthotics. They are often a covered benefit. You only have one set of feet and once they break down - you don't get a new pair. Invest in your body and purchase good shoes and get orthotics. It's the same rationale as a dentist telling you to brush and floss on a regular basis and a dermatologist telling you to wear sunscreen. You need to protect your body because it is just a matter of time until it tries to go south on you. 

Third, you need a wide and preferably soft toebox. This will decrease pressure on the toes, which will help prevent ingrown toenails, hammertoes, bunions, Morton's Neuromas, and painful corns and calluses. 

Forth, you need a shoe with rearfoot control. Backless shoes such as flipflops and mules are not good enough for your feet. If you are not biomechanically controlling the rearfoot with at least a strap, you are forcing your toes to curl down to stay in the shoe, which promotes deformities such as hammertoes and bunions and increases the chance of knee, hip, and lower back pain. Without rearfoot control, you are forcing all of your tendons, ligaments, and joints to work harder to stay in the shoe. This also causes 'tired-leg syndrome' and leg fatigue. 

If you have any severe foot issues or systemic diseases, please check with your Podiatrist to make sure that a particular boot is correct for you. I encourage patients to bring in one bag of shoes so that we can check each shoe together and have a discussion about what will or will not work for their feet. Proper shoegear is absolutely crucial! 

My goal as a Podiatrist is to keep my patients as active as possible for as long as possible with as few problems as possible. And this goal can be achieved with the help of proper shoegear. 

For more information about comfortable shoes, please check out my other articles:

My Feet Hurt! Top 10 Things to do to Alleviate Foot Pain Today.

https://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-feet-hurt-top-ten-things-relieve.html

Shoe Recommendations for Patients Recovering from Lisfranc Injuries. 

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.html

Have a great day!

Dr. Cathleen McCarthy

:)

Dr. Marten's Rometty Boot for women - Podiatrist Recommended

Dr. Marten's Rometty Boot for Women

Podiatrist Recommended

The Dr. Marten's Rometty boot is a great choice for many people who are having foot pain, but they are not an appropriate choice for every foot type and condition. What makes this boot excellent is that it has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole that protects the foot joints from excessive motion, which means there will be less strain and stress on painful joints. Less motion means less inflammation, less swelling, less damage and significantly less foot pain. A rigid sole will also help slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes and osteoarthritic joint changes. 

The concept is counterintuitive, but the flexible and flimsy soled shoes are actually the shoes that are responsible for many foot injuries and they significantly increase strain on the knees, hips and lower back. In fact, the best way to get a stress fracture is to walk barefoot or wear "minimalist" shoes.  

You can add a thin heat-molded insert or a dress orthotic to the Dr. Marten's boot for better arch support. I also like that the boot has plenty of room to add a heel lift to help correct for any limb length discrepancy. It also has a wide toe box and fantastic rearfoot control. 

I highly recommend you try on these shoes at the store if at all possible so that you can ensure a proper fit. 

Recommended for patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint)

*Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint with full weight bearing)

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild possibly Moderate Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunion

*Mild to possibly Moderate Achilles Tendonitis

*Peroneal Tendonitis

*Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

*History of Lisfranc's Injury

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain) 

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Injuries

*History of Stress Fractures

*Ingrown Toenails

*Corns & Calluses

*Hypermobility

*Ligament Laxity

*Over-Pronation

*Ankle Instability

*Mild to Moderate Haglund's Deformity 

Not recommended for patients with: 

*Diabetics with a history of foot ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage) 

*Charcot Foot 

*Muscle Weakness

*Drop Foot 

*The Elderly

*Severe Haglund's Deformity

*Exostosis or "bump" on the top of the midfoot  

*Severe Bunions (as toe box may be too small) 

Check with your Podiatrist if you have these conditions:

*Rheumatoid Arthritis 

*Diabetes 

For more information, check out these articles:

Podiatrist top 10 recommendations to alleviate foot pain

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-basics-10-steps-to-alleviating-foot.html

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc injuries

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.html

I hope that this was helpful!

Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Comfortable Casual Ankle Boots for Autumn - Podiatry Recommended

FitFlop Loaff Boots

Podiatry Recommended Comfort Boots

FitFlop makes some very comfortable sandals and many people don't realize that they have a collection of excellent boots. This is one of the cuter FitFlop boots and what makes it so comfortable is that it has a thick sole that doesn't bend or flex, which means that there is less motion through areas of painful joints or previously injured areas of the foot and toes. The boot also has a wide, soft toebox as well as great rearfoot and ankle control. This boot should accommodate a custom-molded orthotics, particularly a dress orthotic, which will allow for better arch support. Due to the extra ankle control, this boot should be a great choice for anyone with hypermobility, ligament laxity, flat feet, weak ankles and a history of ankle instability and sprains. 

This boot is recommended for patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint)

*Functional Hallux Limitus (limited motion through the 1st toe joint)

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Metatarsalgia

*Osteoarthritis

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Peroneal Tendonitis 

*Mild PT Tendonitis (wear arch support with the boot)

*Recovered from a previous Lisfranc's Injury 

*Ankle Instability

*Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity

*Over-Pronation (wear an orthotic in the boot)

*Chronic Ankle Sprains

This boot is not recommended for patients with: 

*Charcot Foot

*History of diabetic amputations

*History of diabetic ulcerations 

If you have these conditions, you will need to clear this shoe with your podiatrist to see if it is appropriate for you:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation) 

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you are not sure if this boot is right for your foot type and/or foot pathology, check with your podiatrist. 

It's best to go shopping for shoes after 2pm when your feet are a little bit more swollen and ask the salesperson to measure your foot to make sure you are in the correct size. I find that most people are in the wrong shoe. Even if you are in the "right" size, if the shoe feels too tight, try on a larger size. It's always better to be in a shoe that is slightly larger than to be wearing a shoe that is too tight. Tight shoes can cause everything from blisters and corns as well as microtrauma to toenails, which is one of the main causes of fungal infections in the toenails. In fact, if you are trying to clear up fungal toenails, you will not be able to get them cleared of fungus until you are wearing proper-fitting shoes that allow no microtrauma to the toenails. When a toenail is injured, even from microtrauma from tight shoes or pointy-toed shoes, it causes the toenail to become injured and loose, which gives the fungal spores the perfect opportunity to get into the nail and cause an infection. For more information on how to clear up fungal toenail - go to the search box and type in 'toenail fungus' for an article on seven things you have to do to clear up toenail fungus. 

For added comfort during the day, if you have varicose veins, try wearing 15 mmHG knee high compression hose, which you can usually purchase over the counter at some pharmacies or online. For anyone who lives in Scottsdale - the CVS on the NE corner of Scottsdale and Shea has a lady works there that will help make sure you get the proper sizing on the compression hose. She is located in the back right-hand corner of the store.  

For more articles on foot pain and proper shoes, please refer to my articles:

My feet hurt: top 10 things to do to alleviate foot pain today.

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-feet-hurt-top-ten-things-relieve.html

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc Injuries (as well as any sprains of the ankle or the foot)

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.ht

Have a wonderful day,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Jeffrey Campbell - Podiatry Recommended Shoes for Comfort & Fashion

Jeffrey Campbell

Podiatrist Recommended Comfort & Fashion

 

The Gnarly Velvet Boot

 

The Preston Loafer

If you are familiar with Jeffrey Campbell's shoe designs you will immediately realize that these are two very tame choices from his latest collection! If for aesthetic value alone, I love looking at his newest shoe designs - they are weird, wacky and fun. These two also happen to be comfortable, which is what this blog is about - how to find good looking shoes that are good for your feet and are pathology specific.  

Both of these shoes have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, which is the key to a comfortable shoe. The curve upward in the forefoot area of the sole allows for a smooth and normal gait while the thick and rigid sole allows no motion through the foot, which means less mechanical strain, less chance of injury and more comfort for all day wear. If you have any forefoot issues such as Functional Hallux Limitus, Morton's Neuroma, Capsulitis, Metatarsalgia or Plantar Plate Injuries - the thick and rigid sole will prevent motion through those areas for more protection and comfort. 

The wide, square toebox is great for accommodating mild to moderate bunions and hammertoes. The rearfoot control is excellent and the boot is a great choice for you need more ankle control. I would highly recommend wearing a custom-molded dress orthotic with these shoes to maximize biomechanical control of the arch, which will help with knee, hip and lower back issues. 

These shoes are recommended for patients with:
*Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint)
*Sesamoiditis
*Morton's Neuroma
*Metatarsalgia
*Capsulitis
*Plantar Plate Issues
*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
*Over-Pronation & Flat Feet (wear custom-molded dress orthotic)
*Achilles Tendonitis
*Mild Tendonitis
*Previous Lisfranc's Injuries 
*Hypermobility and Ligament Laxity (wear dress orthotics)
*Mechanical Strain
*Hammertoes
*Mild to Moderate Bunions
*Mild Osteoarthritis
*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (Check with your Podiatrist)
*Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

These shoes are not recommended for patients with: 
*Severe Hallux Rigidus (No motion through 1st toe joint) 
*Significant 'bumps' (exotosis) on the top of the midfoot (With the boot, you can skip a lace to off-load the area of the bump, which should make it comfortable)
*Diabetes (Check with your Podiatrist)
*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
*History of Ulceration
*Charcot Foot

For more information, check out other articles on this blog by using the search blog and typing in: My Feet Hurt. 

Hope this was helpful and have a wonderful day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Top 25 Comfortable Women's Dress Boots for 2014 - Podiatrist Recommended.

Podiatrist Recommended

Top 25 Comfortable Women's Boots

2014

A Blog dedicated to:

How to find good looking shoes

that are good for your feet

that are pathology specific.

I started with a 'Top 10' list and it quickly snowballed into a 'Top 25' list! Remember, no matter what type of boot you choose for yourself, it must meet four criteria to be comfortable: 

First, it must have a thick rigid sole that you cannot bend or flex. A thin, flimsy sole that bends and flexes will cause excess motion through your foot joints, which can lead to increased chance of injury such as fractures and sprains, arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, mechanical strain and PAIN. A good shoe is a shoe that limits motion so that you have less pain, less damage, less chance of injury and, an added bonus, prettier feet. As you walk through life, you are either beating up your feet or you are beating up your shoes - if you think what your shoes look like after a couple of years of use - without the protection of a thick rigid sole - that damage is going to be happening to your joints. 

Second, you need arch support. Whether it is built into the shoe, over-the-counter arch support or a custom-molded orthotic - it is important to biomecahnically control your arch. When patients say to me that they have great arches and don't need arch support, my answer is that bridges have arches but engineers still put struts under them to decrease mechanical strain. Proper arch support will help decrease knee, hip and lower back pain as well as stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes and soft tissue injuries such as tendonitis and plantar fascial strain. Talk to your Podiatrist about whether or not your insurance plan pays for you to get custom-molded orthotics. They are often a covered benefit. You only have one set of feet and once they break down - you don't get a new pair. Invest in your body and purchase good shoes and get orthotics. It's the same rationale as a dentist telling you to brush and floss on a regular basis and a dermatologist telling you to wear sunscreen. You need to protect your body because it is just a matter of time until it tries to go south on you. 

Third, you need a wide and preferably soft toebox. This will decrease pressure on the toes, which will help prevent ingrown toenails, hammertoes, bunions, Morton's Neuromas and painful corns and calluses. 

Forth, you need a shoe with rearfoot control. Backless shoes such as flipflops and mules are not good enough for your feet. If you are not biomechanically controlling the rearfoot with at least a strap, you are forcing your toes to curl down to stay in the shoe, which promotes deformities such as hammertoes and bunions and increases the chance of knee, hip and lower back pain. Without rearfoot control, you are forcing all of your tendons, ligaments and joints to work harder to stay in the shoe. This also causes 'tired-leg syndrome' and leg fatigue. 

If you have any severe foot issues or systemic diseases, please check with your Podiatrist to make sure that a particular boot is correct for you. I encourage patients to bring in one bag of shoes so that we can check each shoe together and have a discussion about what will or will not work for their feet. Proper shoegear is absolutely crucial! 

My goal as a Podiatrist is to keep my patients as active as possible for as long as possible with as few problems as possible. And this goal can be achieved with the help of proper shoegear. 

Okay - enough preaching! Let's get to the list...

Ugg Kensington II

I love the Uggs! Not all Uggs are good but if you get one with a thick rigid sole, wide toebox and rearfoot control and add a dress orthotic - you are pretty much gold.  

Ugg Kensington II is Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to possibly severe Bunions

*Mild to possibly severe Hammertoes

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Any patient with a fused toe joint

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Anyone recovering from a Lisfranc's Fracture

*Plantar Plate Injury

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild to possibly severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild to severe Over-Pronation (wear dress orthotics)

*Mild to moderate Hypermobility (wear with dress orthotics)

Ugg Kensington II is NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Achilles Tendonitis (these patients need a slightly higher heel lift in the back - such as a low wedge to decrease tension on the Achilles)

*Diabetic (Clear this boot with your Podiatrist)

*History of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Peripheral Neuropathy/Nerve Damage (Clear with your Podiatrist)

Tsubo Kynlee

The Tsubo Kynlee is a gorgeous boot. If you know that you can handle wearing a slight heel, this boot should work for you. If you have severe Hallux Limitus, Hallux Rigidus or significant forefoot isses, the wedge may not be ideal for you. Basically, if you can wear this heel height with no problems, this should be a good choice. 

Tsubo Kynlee Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild Hallux Limitus

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

*Patients recovering from Lisfranc's injuries or fractures

Tsubo Kynlee NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Moderate to Severe Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the forefoot joints.

*Moderate to Severe Bunions 

*Moderate to Severe Hammertoes

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

Dr. Marten's Pendleton

It's hard to go wrong with Dr. Marten's shoes. I've noticed that some of the Dr. Marten's soles do bend and flex a little but most of the Dr. Marten's have the thick, rigid sole that does not bend or flex. When shopping in the store, double check and make sure that the sole does not bend or flex. 

Dr. Marten's Pendleton Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild to possibly Moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to possibly Moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Ankle Instability (wear a dress orthotic)

*History of ankle sprains 

*Mild to moderate tendonitis (wear dress orthotic)

*Mild to Moderate Over-Pronation (wear dress orthotic)

*Mild to moderate Hypermobility (wear dress orthotic)

*Plantar Fibromas

Dr. Marten's Pendleton is NOT Recommend for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the forefoot joints

*Moderate to Severe Haglund's Deformity (bump on the back of the heel)

*Severe Bunions

*Severe Hammertoes

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Anyone with significant 'bumps' or exostosis on the foot

*High arch with 'bumps' or bone spurs on top of the foot

Naot Gratify 

The Naot Gratify is a gorgeous boot and has a full lenfth shaft which allows for less motion through the forefoot and therefore more comfort. Not all Naot shoes have a full length shaft, which is a disappointment so if you are shopping for a Naot - make sure you get one with the full length shaft and not a partial shaft. There's a huge difference in comfort. 

Naot Gratify Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to moderate Bunions

*Mild to moderate Hammertoes

*Mild to moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

*Patients recovering from Lisfranc's injuries or fractures

Naot Gratify NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Severe Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Diabetics (Get approval from your Podiatrist before wearing this boot) 

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Get approval from you Podiatrist before wearing this boot)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Get approval from your Podiatrist before wearing this boot)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

Tsubo Dess 

Gorgeous boot! I love the Tsubo shoes and I love to dress up jeans with this look. This heel height is not for everyone but if you know that you can wear this heel height comfortably, this boot should work for you. 

Tsubo Dess Boots Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) 

Tsubo Dess Boots NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

*Severe Hypermobility or Instability

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Osteoarthritis of any of the toe joints

*High arches with 'bump' or exostosis on the top of the foot

*Haglund's Deformity

*Recovering from a Lisfranc's Fracture

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Injury

Dansko Crepe Chukka

If you are doing a lot of walking on concrete and hard surfaces - this might be your boot. The Dansko Crepe Chukka has a thick rigid sole with NO motion, which translates into all day comfort. Add a dress orthotic for more arch control and it's hard to go wrong with this boot. The only limitations with Dansko is that if you have prominent 'bumps' such as bunions or exostosis and bone spurs - there might be too much pressure on them which can cause pain. An option is to take the shoe to a Cobbler or Shoe Repair and have them stretch the area over the bunion or 'bump'.  

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Limitus

*Hallux Rigidus

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Plantar Plate Issues

*Capsulitis

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Corns & Calluses

*Tailor's Bunions

*History of Lisfrand's Injury

*Recovered from Foot Fractures (Clear with your Pod)

*Osteoarthritis

*Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain

*Over-Pronation (wear with a dress orthotic)

*Mild Hypermobility (wear with a dress orthotic)

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with: 

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Muscle Weakness

*Drop Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Instability

*Geriatrics

Dansko Tabitha 

Dansko is fabulous but they are not for everybody. I would recommend that if you are shopping for Dansko, go to the store to try them on. If you have large bunions or 'bumps' on the top of the midfoot area, Danskos might not work for you.

Dansko Tabitha Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild to moderate Hallux Limitus

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Plantar Plate Injuries

*Mild Capsulitis

*Plantar Fasciits (Heel Pain)

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to moderate Osteoarthritis

Dansko Tabitha NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Tailor's Bunions

Severe Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage) 

*History of Ulcerations

*Charcot Foot

Ugg Anais

I had to add this boot because I love the style! The heel height is a bit high but if you know that you can handle this heel height, this should be a comfortable boot for you. The wedge heel gives added protection to the forefoot structures and more of a 'roll off' action when you walk - this will cause less stress to the forefoot. 

Ugg Anais Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Women who know that they can wear this heel height comfortably

Ugg Anais NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Osteoarthritis of any of the forefoot joints.

*Bunions 

*Hammertoes

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

Dansko Faith

I love the Danskos but I recommend purchasing this one in the store. I've noticed that since Dansko has started manufacturing more shoes in China - the forefoot area can have too much bend and the toebox has gotten a little smaller and more narrow. Make sure the forefoot wedge does not bend and, if you can know that you can wear this heel height comfortably, this should be a good boot for you. 

Dansko Faith Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Women who know that they can wear this heel height comfortably

Dansko Faith NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Osteoarthritis of any of the forefoot joints.

*Bunions 

*Hammertoes

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

John Fluevog On Course Leeward

This is my Christmas gift - that has still not arrived! I can't give a full review on this boot because I don't have it yet but it is so gorgeous and seems to meet all the criteria so I thought I'd add it to the list. I will give a further update once I get these bad boys on my feet! 

John Fluevog Prepares Map

As you know, I love John Fluevog shoes and this boot is no exception. The wedge heel is solid and very comfortable. I can walk in this shoe all day. I love the wide toebox with soft leather that feels like butter. If you purchase this boot, buy extra boot laces because, for some reason, the laces on this boot break easily. 

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild Hallux Limitus

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to possibly Moderate Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Severe Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the forefoot joints.

*Severe Bunions 

*Severe Hammertoes

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

Dansko Vail

Another fabulous Dansko boot. It's very hard to go wrong with this boot - especially if you need to do lots of outdoor walking in bad weather.

Dansko Vail is Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Any patient with a fused toe joint

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Patients recovering from a Lisfranc's Fracture

*Plantar Plate Injury

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis (Check with your Podiatrist)

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Over-Pronation (wear dress orthotics)

*Mild to Moderate Hypermobility (wear with dress orthotics)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Tendonitis

Dansko Vail is NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*History of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Peripheral Neuropathy/Nerve Damage (Clear with your Podiatrist)

Frye Harness 12R

I own this boot and wore it several years ago on a 10 day walking winter tour of Berlin and Vienna. With socks and my dress orthotic, they kept me warm and dry and walking in comfort all day long. The only issue I have with this boot is that the forefoot area tends to be a bit too tapered so if you have a wide forefoot, this may not work for you. The boot has a rigid sole and great rearfoot control and it looks great under jeans. If you have a 5th toe hammertoe with a corn - either try to size up or get a boot with a wider toebox like the Alegria. 

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Hallux Rigidus (Maybe - assuming there are no significant bone spurs)

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to possibly Moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Mild Osteoarthritis 

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Ankle Instability (wear a dress orthotic)

*History of ankle sprains 

*Mild to moderate tendonitis (wear dress orthotic)

*Mild to Moderate Over-Pronation (wear dress orthotic)

*Mild to moderate Hypermobility (wear dress orthotic)

This Boot is NOT Recommend for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Moderate to Severe Haglund's Deformity (bump on the back of the heel)

*Prominent Bunions

*Moderate to Severe Hammertoes

*5th toe corns

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Anyone with significant 'bumps' or exostosis on the foot - especially the forefoot and top of the midfoot. 

John Fluevog Hopefuls Rosy

This is a great boot and I love the low heel, thick and rigid sole and the gorgous color. Add a dress orthotic for more comfort and it's a winner. 

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to moderate Bunions

*Mild to moderate Hammertoes

*Mild to moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint) 

*Severe Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Diabetics  

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

Alegria Cami

Excellent boot! Please see my complete review of the Alegria boots (2 blog posts previous to this one, which you can find by scrolling back or typing 'Alegria' in the search box at the upper right hand corner). Wear a dress orthotic for maximum comfort and this is a boot that will work for almost any foot type. 

Camper Filippa Low

I don't own this boot and have not seen it in person but I love the look and it seems to meet all the criteria. The wedge heel should stop motion in the forefoot are and, if you know that you can handle this heel height, it should be comfortable. The reviews also state that it works well for women with a wider calf. 

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Plantar Fasciits (Heel Pain)

*Women who know that they can wear this heel height comfortably.

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

*Hypermobility or Instability

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the toe joints

*Large 'bumps' or exostosis on the foot

*High arches with 'bump' or exostosis on the top of the foot

*Severe Haglund's Deformity

*Recovering from a Lisfrac's Fracture

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Injury

Alegria Raina

This is the boot that I wore on my eleven day walking vacation of Paris and it passed with flying colors. For more information and a full review of the Alegria boots, please go to the search box and type in Alegria. I did a blog post (2 previous to this blog post) where I talk about these two boots in detail. 

Overall, excellent boot and I paid $29 on 6pm.com. 

Ariat Fatbaby

I think I got these because I love saying that I'm wearing my 'Fatbabies'! This is an excellent boot and I wear them under black slacks or jeans and they look professional and feel great. The Fatbaby boot does have a full length shank in it but I did notice that there is still a little bit of flexion in the sole, which was a disappointment because I am a stickler for no motion in the sole of a shoe BUT, with my dress orthotic and my mild Hallux Limitus, it still works very nicely for all day wear.  

Ariat Fatbaby is Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to possibly severe Bunions

*Mild to possibly severe Hammertoes

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Patients recovering from a Lisfranc's Fracture

*Plantar Plate Injury

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild to possibly severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Mild to severe Over-Pronation (wear dress orthotics)

*Mild to moderate Hypermobility (wear with dress orthotics)

Ariat Fatbaby is NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Achilles Tendonitis (these patients need a slightly higher heel lift in the back - such as a low wedge to decrease tension on the Achilles)

*Diabetic (Clear this boot with your Podiatrist)

*History of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Clear with your Podiatrist)

*Peripheral Neuropathy/Nerve Damage (Clear with your Podiatrist)

Tsubo Descari

I love the Tsubo brand. This ankle is a bit high on the wedge but I wanted to add it because I love the Tsubo thick, rigid soles and I particularly like the soft adjustable strap across the midfoot area. This boot will not work if you have Hallux Limitus, Hallux Rigidus or any serious forefoot issues because the wedge is too steep of an incline, which will put too much pressure to the forefoot structures. If you know you can wear a heel this height comfortably, the forefoot sole has enough rigidity and cushion to give added protection to the forefoot structures. I was able to wear the Tsubo Heels at this height for many years and, as I got older, my feet were not able to tolerate it anymore. The trick is to listen to your body and if your feet hurt or if you are compensating or changing your gait in any way - don't wear them because they are causing damage.

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Women who know they can wear this heel height comfortably.

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

*Hypermobility or Instability

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Osteoarthritis of any of the toe joints

*Severe Haglund's Deformity

*Recovering from a Lisfrac's Fracture

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Injury

Fly London Mux Boot

Fly London Yust Boot

Fly London Yink Boot

These three Fly London boots are a nice combination of style and comfort. Once again, they are not going to work for everyone but if you know that you can wear a heel this height comfortably - these boots should work for you. 

Fly London Boots Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to possibly moderate Bunions

*Mild to possibly moderte Hammertoes

*Mild Morton's Neuromas

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

*Healed Lisfranc's Injury (Check with your Pod)

Fly London Boots NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

*Severe Hypermobility or Instability

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the toe joints

*Large 'bumps' or exostosis on the foot

*High arches with 'bump' or exostosis on the top of the foot

*Severe Haglund's Deformity

Women's Ladies Wedge Platform

Lace Up Round Toe Low Heel Boots

Yes, that is actually the official name on ebay. I like the thick rigid sole and, once again, if you know that you are able to wear a low wedge heel comfortably, this boot should work well for you. I also like the fact that you can loosen the laces to adjust for ankle and calf size. At the price of $39 - this is a great option for anyone on a budget. 

This Boot Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild Morton's Neuromas

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

This Boot NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

*Balance Issues

*Severe Hypermobility or Instability

*Hallux Rigidus (No motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Severe Osteoarthritis of any of the toe joints

*Large 'bumps' or exostosis on the foot

*High arches with 'bump' or exostosis on the top of the foot

*Severe Haglund's Deformity

Fit Flop Mukluk Moc 2

Fit Flop Crush Boot

The Fit Flop boots are fabulous! They have the thick, rigid sole that does not bend or flex, a soft and wide toebox, good rearfoot control and you can add a dress orthotic to it for arch control. The only issue with this boot is that they don't come in half sizes so I would recommend sizing up and some patients have issues with pulling them on since they do not have a zipper. Overall, an excellent boot. 

Fit Flop Boots (above) Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild to Severe Bunions

*Mild to Severe Hammertoes

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Rigidus

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Osteoarthritis

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Over-Pronation (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild to Moderate Hypermobility (wear a dress orthotic)

*Mild to Moderate Tendonitis (wear dress orthotic)

*Recovering from a previous Lisfranc's Injury or fracture 

Fit Flop Boots NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations 

Fit Flop Boots MAY works for Patients with:

(Get Approval from your Podiatrist!):

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Areterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*History of Ulcerations

I hope this was helpful and I would love to hear any feedback that you have on these boots - or other great boots that you think should be on the list. 

Happy New Years!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

******

I'f you're into detective stories - check out my book 'Gunning For Angels' which was written under my pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or in paperback. 

Warning: Adult Content. 

http://www.amazon.com/Gunning-For-Angels-Mack-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00I84NSE0