Mash-Up Podiatry Recommended Shoe List!

 

Podiatry Recommended

2022-2023 Winter Mash-Up Shoe List

What makes these shoes 'podiatrist approved' is that they all meet 3 of the 4 criteria for what makes a comfortable shoe:

1. A thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole. A shoe that has a thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole allows less motion through painful joints, which means more foot comfort. The concept is counter-intuitive but less motion means less pain, less strain, and less damage to the joints and will help slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, and arthritic joint changes. 

2. Wide toe box. Pointy-toed shoes cause bunions, hammertoes, corns,  and ingrown toenails (to name a few!). 

3. Rearfoot control. All of these shoes and boots have rearfoot control, which helps to decrease mechanical strain on tendons, and ligaments and also increases strain on your knees, hips, and lower back. 

4. Arch Support.  Many of these examples will not accommodate a full-length functional orthotic, but most will allow you to wear at least a good over-the-counter insert or a thinner dress orthotic. Arch support is important to help slow the progression of bunions and hammertoes as decreases strain on your knees, hips, and lower back. 

Fredy Platform Boot Marc Fisher LTD

This is a great option for anyone who knows that they can wear heels comfortably. Boots with more rearfoot height are especially good for anyone who has a history of previous Achilles tendonitis.

Dansko Professional Clogs 

The Dansko Professional Clog is the classic 'go-to' shoe for many doctors and nurses. They are great for working long hours on retail or concrete surfaces. They work best if you have feet that are relatively 'straight' with no big 'bumps' such as bunions or a high arch. The best way to figure out if these work for you is to got to the store and try them on. I do not recommend that your order these online unless you already know they work for you and you know your proper size. 

MATISSE

GAVIN PLATFORM BOOT

MATISSE

RONAN CHELSEA BOOT

The above two boots are going to work better on someone who knows that they can handle a heavier or chunkier shoe. I would not recommend these for anyone with drop-foot or any muscle weakness. 

Steve Madden Klayton Black Boot

A solid boot like this used to be my favorite choice for a boot that I could dress up but still be comfortable wearing for hours. As I've gotten older, I cannot tolerate this height anymore, so I do not recommend anything like this unless you know that you are comfortable and safe wearing heels this high. 

Jeffrey Campbell

Book Platform Apron Toe Derby

I love the look of these oxfords! Only consider something like this if you know that you can handle the 'chunkier' and heavier shoes. 

Wonders

Talla Loafer Wedge (Women)

This is a lovely choice for a low wedge and will most likely work best for someone with a more narrow foot and forefoot. I would not recommend this one for someone with painful bunions or hammertoes.

Alegria Paloma

This is a fabulous choice for anyone with a history of heel pain, metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis, and plantar plate issues (to name a few!). I would recommend that you try these on at the store and not purchase your first pair online. 

Kaila Shoes (Sundance)

Woven Naylor Sandals (Sundance)

Rowena Sandals (Sundance)

Living in Arizona, I felt it was important to include several sandals/wedges on the list as these can be appropriate to wear during the winter months. I have a patient who introduced me to the Sundance shoes and I was very impressed with how sturdy and well-made they are. 

Baxter Shoes (Sundance)

This is a great example of a solid Oxford which should feel comfortable for long hours on your feet. I love the chunky sole and color!

Kinetic Breakthru Conquest Boots (Sundance)

Iris Track Boots (Sundance)

These are good examples of sturdy boots that aren't your typical REI look, which isn't bad but these are definitely more stylish. 

Xelero Steadfast Hiker (men's)

Xelero Steadfast Walker (Women's)

Xelero Genesis XPS (Women's)

Xelero Heidi Deep Ocean

Xelero Heidi Black Ice (Women's)

All of the above Xelero's are great shoes! They all have a thick, rigid, and very protective sole that is perfect for anyone with a history of plantar fasciitis as well as any forefoot or midfoot pain such as metatarsalgia, plantar plate issues, a history of stress fractures, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and sesamoiditis. 

Hoka Bondi

My husband loves his Hoka Bondi shoes to the point that he is now even golfing in them! They are great for anyone with heel pain as well as knee, hip, and lower back pain. The only drawback to the Hokas is that, if you are super active (like my husband is!) they will wear out sooner than most other types of shoes such as New Balance or Xelero. I have to replace my husband's Hokas every 4-5 months, which can get expensive.  

Drew Surge (Men's)

Drew Flare (Women's)

These Drew shoes are the gold standard (like the New Balance 928 or 1540s) for anyone who needs a sturdy and comfortable all-day walking shoe. I own the Drew Flare and wear them with my full-length custom-molded orthotics and they are the most comfortable shoe that I own. 

Apex Women's Walker

Apex Women's Trail Runner

Apex Men's Trail Runner

The above Apex are great options for hiking or walking shoes. They also have a rigid and supportive sole and they can accommodate a custom-molded orthotic. 

Apex Men's Ariya Moc Toe

This is a nice option for all-day comfort for someone who wants a more traditional dress shoe. 

FitFlop Shuv Soft Pink Slippers

Alegria Chillery Smoke

I have not tried the above two slippers myself, but they certainly look super comfortable!

For more articles on painful feet and proper shoes, please check out my articles:

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

My Feet Hurt!

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's fractures: Shoe Recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's fractures

Thank you for reading! 

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Podiatrist Recommended Converse - the Run Star Hike!

Podiatrist Recommended

Comfortable Converse -

Run Star Hike.

These Run Star Hike Converse shoe options are super cute and far more comfortable than the classic Converse that has flimsy soles. 

They each meet three of the four criteria that shoes must possess to be comfortable, which are:

1. A thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole. This is actually the most important of the four criteria because a rigid sole that stops motion through painful or compromised joints means that you will have less inflammation, less pain, and joint damage. 

2. A wide toe box, so that there is less pressure on the toes, which means it will stop or slow the progression of hammertoes, bunions, ingrown toenails, corns, and even toenail fungus. 

3. Rearfoot control allows for more biomechanical control of the foot and ankle, which means that there will be less strain on your knees, hips, and lower back. 

4. These Converse can accommodate a dress orthotic or a thin over-the-counter insert, which will provide more arch support.  

These Converse are recommended for people with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

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

*Functional Hallux Limitus

*Hallux Rigidus (no range of motion of the 1st toe joint or a surgically fused 1st toe joint) 

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Hypermobility

*Over-Pronation

*Mild 

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Mild Ankle Instability 

These Converse are not recommended for people with:

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*History of Ulceration

*Charcot Foot 

*Morton's Neuroma 

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Drop Foot  

For more information, check out my article: 

"Top 10 reasons why your feet hurt -- and how to alleviate the pain today!" 

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

I hope this was helpful! 

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Podiatrist Recommended John Fluevog Women's Shoes

Podiatrist Recommended
John Fluevog Women's Shoes 

Supervog

Akira

Todne

Flame

Capellan

Find

Advisor

Virtue

Luxon

Zenobia

These John Fluvog shoes are a great choice for anyone looking for comfortable yet fashionable footwear. I would recommend that you go to a Fluevog store to try on the shoes if at all possible. If you order online, I recommend that you read the reviews because it will give you tips on getting the best sizing.  

To review, for any shoe to be good enough for your feet it must meet 4 criteria:

First, the most important thing to remember is that any shoe that you wear must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole. 
The concept is counterintuitive but the idea is that if you have a painful joint then the last thing that you want to do is wear flexible shoes that force motion through joints that can’t handle it. When it comes to the foot, less motion equals less pain, inflammation and joint damage. A sturdy sole with no motion will also stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, stress fractures, and osteoarthritis. 

Second, it is important that it has a soft, wide toe box, which will put less pressure on toes, which helps to prevent corns, ingrown toenails and will even decrease the risk of developing toenail fungus. 

Third, all shoes that you wear should have rearfoot control because shoes without rearfoot control force you to scrunch down your toes to stay in the shoe, which promotes hammertoes and mechanical strain on your tendons and ligaments, which can cause tired leg syndrome.

The fourth thing is to wear shoes that will accommodate a custom-molded orthotic or an excellent over-the-counter insert for better arch support, which will help with preventing knee, hip and even lower back pain. If your dress orthotics don't work in your dress shoes or heels then don't wear them as trying to force them into a dress shoe can cause problems such as discomfort, calluses, and crowding of toes. Of the four criteria listed here, having arch support is the least important of the four.

These shoes are not recommended for patients with:
*Diabetes 
*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)
*History of foot ulcerations
*Charcot Foot


If you are unsure if any of these shoes will work for your foot condition, please refer to your local podiatrist. 

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Autumn 2019 Podiatrist Recommended Shoes at Dillard's!

Autumn 2019

Podiatrist Recommended Shoes at Dillard's.

Did you see me cruising through Dillard's yesterday? I was the woman walking around checking all the shoes and even taking pictures of some of the shoes on my cell phone. Actually, I am quite surprised that they don't kick me out of there on the off chance I am was an industrial spy! 

Here are some recommendations from my latest trip to Dillard's at Fashion Square in Scottsdale where a lovely salesperson names Charles helped me. 

Gentle Souls

Kenneth Cole
Noa Leather Flats

This shoe might not look like it, but the sole is very rigid and, therefore, much more supportive. The most important thing about a shoe is that it must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole because less motion means less pain, less inflammation and less "wear and tear" of the joints. The shoe is not perfect as it has no arch support and the toe box is a bit too tapered for my taste, but this may be a good choice for some patients. 

Jambu
Naomi Wedge Sandal

Going into Autumn, this may only be a good choice for those of us in Arizona and the warmer climates who don't have to worry about rain, slush and snow. I really liked this Jambu because it has the thick, rigid and non-flexible sole which is what makes a shoe more comfortable and protective of foot structures such as joints, ligaments and tendons. 

Dr. Marten's
Farrah Chunky Glitter Boots

The Dr. Marten's boot is a great choice for students heading back to school. They are uber-comfortable, sturdy and even sort of cool. I love that Dr. Marten's are coming out in creative colors and even with some bling. I also love that this is a boot that will accommodate a functional or dress orthotic for better arch support. 

Kork-Ease
Shirome

Obviously, the Kork-Ease Shirome will not be for everyone, but if you know that you can wear a heel of the height comfortably, then this may be a good choice for a dress boot.

Michael Kors
Cosmo Leopard Print

I purchased this shoe and love it! I can wear my dress heat-molded insert with it for better arch support and I find it is very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Dillard's has many different designers who have their own versions of what I call these "blinged-out sneakers." 

Antonio Melani

I love that the sole of this dress shoe is so rigid (and therefore supportive and protective). The only issue I have with these shoes is that the toe box is tapered and a bit narrow, but this may be a good choice for someone with a narrow foot. 

Uggs
Fluff Yeah Neon Slides

I love that these Uggs come in so many bright and cheerful colors. The thick, rigid and non-flexible sole makes them a very supportive and comfortable choice for bedroom slipper. 

Cole Han

American Classic

This is an excellent choice for a men's dress shoe as they have a rigid and non-flexible sole and they can also accommodate a men's dress orthotic for better arch support. 

Dansko 
Paisley Suede Waterproof Sneakers

I think that this is a great looking shoe and it has an excellent and supportive sole with a wide toe box. It will accommodate a custom-molded orthotic for better arch support. 

Alegria
Paloma

The Alegria Paloma is an oldie but a goodie! It has a supportive sole and wide toe box and will accommodate a thinner dress orthotic. They also come in creative colors and designs.

Antonio Melani
Airla Casual Slip-On

This is another example of one of the fancier "sneakers" that are coming out this Autumn. I love the thick, rigid and non-flexible sole which is what makes the shoe so comfortable. This may not be the best choice for anyone with a high instep or a "bump" on the top of the middle of their arch as the strap will cause too much pressure which will be uncomfortable. 

Birkenstock 
Buckley
(for bedroom slippers)

If the Rx Crocs don't work for you as a bedroom slipper, this Birk Buckley is another great option for a slipper to wear around the house. 

Gianna Bini
Troye Rainbow Rhinestone Embellished 
Chunky Lace-Up Sneakers

What's not to love about this shoe? It's funky, chunky and cool and more importantly - it's comfortable!

Patricia Nash
Milano Leather Wedge Sneakers

This is another great option for someone who is looking for a slightly dressed-up look for their sneakers. It will also accommodate a dress or functional orthotic. 

These are just a few of the great choices I found at Dillard's at Fashion Square in Scottsdale this past weekend. I hope you have good luck finding a shoe that is suits your aesthetic taste AND feels great!

Thank you for reading the blog!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

For more information, check my other articles:

My Feet Hurt! Top 10 things to do today to alleviate foot pain:

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

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's joint injuries. 

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