Podiatry Recommended Comfortable Wedge Sandal for Summer 2015

Eileen Fischer

Mask Wedge Sandal

A great option for someone with mild to moderate hallux limitus 

who wants to wear heels. 

What makes this sandal comfortable is that it has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole that will protect the foot from motion through any painful or troublesome joints. Less motion through painful joints means less inflammation, less swelling and less pain. Shoes such as this (with a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole) can help slow the progression of bunions and hammertoes as well as help decrease the likelyhood of getting metatarsalgia and arthritic joint changes. This sandal has a wide toebox, which is great for anyone with mild to moderate bunions and hammertoes. It also has a rearfoot strap, which is crutial for providing more biomechanical control to the foot and ankle joints. If you wear a sandal that doesn't have a rearfoot strap, then you are forcing all of your muscles, joints and tendons to work harder to stay in the shoe. This can cause more mechanical strain to tendons, joints and muscles and can lead to tired-leg styndrome as well as increased knee, hip and lower back strain. 

If you have a history of foot issues, please talk to your Podiatrist about if this sandal is appropriate for you. 

This sandal is recommended for most people with:

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

*Hallux Rigidus (maybe)

*Mild to moderate Osteoarthritis

*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (maybe)

*Mild to moderate Hammertoes

*Mild to moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Sesamoiditis

*Mild to possibly moderate Metatarsalgia

*Mild to moderate Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Plantar Plate issues

*History of previous Lisfranc's Issues (check with your Podiatrist)

This sandal is not recommended for people with:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)

*History of Foot Ulceration 

*Charcot Foot

*Moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Moderate to severe Pes Planux (Flat Feet)

*Severe Over-Pronation

*Severe Ligament Laxity / Hypermobility

*Posterior Tibial Tendonitis or Dysfunction

*Ankle Instability

*The Elderly

*History of Falling or Imbalance

*Muscle Weakness 

For more information on the basics, please check out my articles: 

My feet hurt: top ten things to relieve 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.

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

Have a great day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Podiatry Recommended Comfortable Sandal for Spring - Naot Relate

Naot Relate

Podiatry Recommended Comfortable Sandal for Spring

First, I'd like to appologize to anyone waiting on an answer through the comment section of the blog. For the last eight weeks, I've had a bit of vertigo and haven't been able to tolerate looking at the computer screen. I'm feeling much better and looking forward to catching up on the comments and questions!

The Naot Relate sandal is an excellent choice for Spring. It has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole that limits motion through the foot joints, which allows for maximum comfort. Less motion through any areas of previous injury or joint damage means less inflammation, swelling and pain to that area. The Naot Relate also has a soft insole that molds to the shape of the foot and will be comfortable for anyone who has painful calluses. The forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping allows for more biomechanical control, which also translates to increased comfort and less mechanical strain. 

This sandal is recommended for:

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

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

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

*Tailor's Bunion

*Achilles Tendonitis (mild)

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Osteoarthritis

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

This sandal is not recommended for: 

*Charcot Foot

*Diabetics

*History of previous ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease

*Peripheral Neuropathy

For more information about how to find comfortable shoes, please see my articles on this blog entitled:
"My feet hurt - top 10 things to do to alleviate foot pain today"
and
"Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's injuries."


Have a wonderful day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Comfortable Sandals at Dillard's - Podiatrist Recommended.

Podiatrist Recommended

Top Comfortable Sandals at Dillards

Spring 2014

Clark's Lexi Sumac

What's great about this sandal is that the sole is thick, rigid and not flexible, which offers more biomechanical protection for the foot. An excellent feature is that this is an exceptionally light-weight sandal. This is a great option for older or more sedentary patients who need a comfortable and light-weight shoe. 

Alegria Kleo

This sandal is appropriate for a multitude of podiatric conditions. The sole is thick, rigid and not flexible and it has a soft topcover with good arch support. I love that it has wide strapping for forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control, which translates to more biomechanical control to the foot and ankle structures. I have the Alegria enclosed shoe, which has the same sole and it is amazingly comfortable for all day wear. 

This is, in my opinion, the best sandal on this list, so I am including a pathology specific recommendation list:

Alegria Kleo is recommended for patients with:

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunions

*Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

*Hallux Limitus

*Hallux Rigidus

*Plantar Plate Injury

*Capsulitis

*Mild Achille's Tendonitis

*Mild Tendonitis

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Mild to Moderate Over-Pronators

*Mild to Moderate Hypermobility

*Sesamoiditis

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

*Patients Recovering from Lisfranc's injury

*Knee, hip & lower back pain

Alegria Kleo not recommended for patients with:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Charcot Foot

*Drop Foot

*History of ulceration

Dansko Sonnet

This is my new Spring sandal and I love the thick, rigid sole with a wide base, which means less motion, which translates to more comfort, less mechanical strain and decreased chance of injury. Also, the low heel height and the adjustable velcro straps and soft topcover add to the comfort. 

One word of caution with Dansko, they do not work well if you are planning to spend lots of time walking on cobblestone. If you are going to Europe or vacationing anyplace with lots of cobblestone, you need a shoe with a thick, rigid sole but something with just a touch of "give" like the Alegria Kleo, Romika Fidji or Ecco Yucaton. 

Naturalizer Tanner

This sandal is a good option for anyone who can wear a slight heel. The sole is thick and rigid and it has excellent forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. If you have any significant forefoot issues, this is not the best choice because of the heel height. 

Teva Capri

For anyone who can wear a heel, this is a good choice. I would not recommend this sandal for anyone who has any significant forefoot issues such as Morton's Neuroma, Hallux Limitus or if you are recovering from injury or fracture of the metatarsal joints. 

It may work well for anyone who might have mild Achille's tendonitis because the heel lift decreases tension on the Achilles. 

Fit Flop Sandal

I like the Fit Flop sandals for anyone with prominent bunions because it offers the thick, non-flexible sole as well as midfoot and rearfoot control, but it doesn't have any straps causing pressure on the bunion or Tailor's bunion area. It also has enough shock absorption to help with anyone suffering with mild heel pain or Achilles tendonitis. I wish it had more midfoot strapping, but it you have large bunions that hurt with shoe pressure, this is a good choice. 

It's very important that you get the Fit Flops with rearfoot strapping as it offers more rearfoot control, which helps with forefoot issues as well as knee, hip and lower back issues. If you get the Fit Flop flip-flop with no rearfoot strapping, you are forcing all your tendons, muscles and joints to work harder to stay in the flip-flop, which causes more mechanical strain and "tired-leg syndrome".

Romika Fidji

The sole doesn't flex or bend and this sandal has excellent forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It also has decent arch support and the wide base makes it a stable shoe. It's well made, sturdy and should work well for anyone with painful bumps on the top of the midfoot area (Lisfranc's exostosis) as well as forefoot problems such as Hallux Limitus, metatarsalgia, and hammertoes. 

Ecco Yucaton

If you get this sandal, make sure you purchase one that doesn't bend or flex for more comfort and biomechanical control. I've noticed that the quality can vary significantly from sandal to sandal. If you happen to get one that bends too much, ask the saleperson to let you try another in the same size. The adjustable straps and excellent arch support make this sandal comfortable for all day wear. If you have severe forefoot issues, you would be better off with the Alegria Kleo. 

Born Emmy Mouton

I love this sandal, but it is not appropriate for anyone with Hallux Limitus or any forefoot issues. If you know that you can comfortably wear a shoe this height, this should be a comfortable sandal for you. I like the wide forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping that allows for more biomechanical control. 

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Podiatrist Recommended Sandal for Patients with Bunions.

Fit Flop Sandal

A great option for anyone with bunions...

Patients with bunions are always challenged when it comes to finding comfortable shoes. They need a shoe that is protective and biomechanically controls the foot so that the bunion formation does not progress. They also need a shoe that does not apply pressure to the bunion, which can result it increased pain as well as

enlargement of the bunion. Patients who suffer with plantar fasciitis (heel pain) will also benefit from the shock absorption that this sandal provides.

What makes this sandal excellent is the thick, rigid sole that provides protection to the foot joints but is also is cushy enough to provide shock absorption. Although the sandal lacks forefoot strapping - it makes up for it with good midfoot and rearfoot strapping for more biomechanical control and, best of all, there is no pressure on the bunions or toes. 

I would highly recommend that you make sure that any Fit Flop that you purchase is a sandal with rearfoot strapping and not the Fip Flop with no rearfoot strapping. It makes a huge difference in comfort! Without rearfoot straps, you are forcing your toes to grip down to stay in the flip-flop, which aggravates forefoot issues such as hammertoes, bunions, calluses and metatarsalgia. It also forces your tendons, muscles and joints including your knees, hips and lower back to work harder to stay in the shoe, which causes more biomechanical pain and 'tired leg syndrome'.

To stop or slow the progression of bunions, it is imperative that you wear shoes with a thick, rigid sole, a wide soft toebox and shoes with some type of forefoot (if possible), midfoot and rearfoot biomechanical control. It's optimal to wear custom-molded orthotics and, although this sandal does not accommodate orthotics, the Fit Flop Sandal is an excellent choice.

This Shoe is Recommended for Patients with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Tailor's Bunions

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Mild Tendonitis 

*Corns and Calluses

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

*Hallux Rigidus

*Osteoarthritis

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Ingrown Toenails

*Morton's Neuroma

*Fibromyalgia

*Mild Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain

This Shoe is NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Charcot Foot

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations or Open Sores

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage

*Hypermobility 

*Severe Overpronation

*Avascular Necrosis 

Have a lovely day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

 

Podiatry Recommended Dansko Sandal for Narrow Feet...

Dansko Dani Carmel 

***

A Great Sandal for Women with Narrow Feet...

This is a wonderful sandal for those of you that have narrow feet. I have been recommended Dansko shoes for years and the Dansko Clog is the shoe that helped me to survive the long hours on my feet during my residency. 

What makes the Dansko brand great is the thick rigid sole that is protective of the foot. 

If you are recovering from a recent foot injury and making the transition into normal shoegear - 

this is a great sandal to help you ease into summer sandals. The forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping helps create more biomechanical control for more comfort, less chance of injury and less mechanical strain.

This Sandal is Recommended for Patients with:

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

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

*Osteoarthritis

*Rhuematoid Arthritis

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Morton's Neuroma

*Heel Pain (plantar Fasciitis)

*Tendonitis 

*History of Lisfranc Joint (MTJ) Injuries

*Sesmoiditis

*Tailor's Bunions 

This Sandal is NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Diabetes

*Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease

*History of Foot Ulcerations 

*Charcot Foot

*Foot Drop

**Please remember that you are the acid test for whether or not the shoe works for you. You should not have to "break in" shoes. If this shoe is not comfortable - it's not for you!

Hope this has been helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:)

Podiatrist Recommended Women's Sandals for Spring 2012

Podiatrist Recommended

Women's Sandals for 

Spring 2012

***

Aravon Katy
$134


This is a great sandal that can be found at most New Balance stores. The thick rigid sole offers maximal protection to the foot and I love the soft footbed, which offers decent arch support. The forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control offers biomechanical control, which helps decrease pain, chance of injury and mechanical strain.

 Naot Jive 
$107

Gotta' love the Naots! A bit more of a casual look but the rigid sole combined with the soft footbed and solid forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping is great for biomechanically controlling for the foot, which dramatically improves comfort to not just the foot - but also the knees, hips & lower back. 


 

 Wolky Cloggy
$169

The Wolky line of shoes offers high quality shoes with excellent biomechanical control for the foot and ankle. One of my favorite aspects of this sandal is the thick rigid sole that is protective of the joints. The footbed is soft and has fabulous arch support. It's an expensive sandal but consider it a solid investment in your foot health!

Alegria Kleo
$108


I'm a big fan of all of the Alegria shoes that have rearfoot strapping! Don't be fooled and get the shoes or sandals that don't have rearfoot strapping or control - you will be cheating yourself of comfort. This sandal has an awesome thick and rigid sole with a soft footbed with good arch support. As long as you also have rearfoot control, this sandal will increase comfort, decrease chance of injury and cause less "wear and tear" on the foot and ankle joints.

 

These Four Sandals ARE Recommended for Patients with:

*Heel Pain

*Osteoarthritis

*Rheumatoid

*Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion across the 1st Toe Joint)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Metatarsalgia

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Tendonitis

*Fibroma's on the bottom of the foot

*Flat Feet

*Hypermobility (Ligament Laxity)

*Corns & Calluses

*Ingrown Toenails

These Sandals are NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Diabetics

*Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease

*History of Ulcerations 

*Charcot Foot 

*Severe Ankle Instability 

Hope all is well,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:)

Podiatrist Recommended: Top Ten Comfortable Sandals...

Podiatrist Recommended
Top Ten
Women's Sports Sandals....


With summer romping at our heels, I thought it would be a great time to do a "Top Ten" list for my personal recommendations for excellent sports/casual women's sandals. Please keep in mind that there are many other wonderful sandals out there and if you know of one that you recommend but it hasn't made my list, I would love to hear from you in our "comments" section. 


As always, I will give pathology specific advice regarding each sandal since not every type of shoe is for every patient. Always remember that when you are in the store trying on the shoe, check each shoe to make sure that the sole is thick and rigid with as little bend as possible across the ball of the foot and there should be no motion across the arch area. I always check my patients shoes and you would be surprised how many times someone is unknowingly wearing a defective or "broken" shoe. 


**I have no relationship with any of these shoe companies or manufacturers.


Drum roll please...




Tenth Place: 
Keen Venice H2 
$119 

Keen's Venice H2 is a great sandal for many reasons. It has a thick, rigid protective sole with excellent added toe protection as well as excellent forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It's a great sandal to wear at the beach and even into the water or surf (amphibious sandal) - especially if their are rocks and sharp pebbles. If you have hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet) this is a good choice because it's easy to clean between uses. 

Recommended for: 

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Metatarsalgia

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

*Mild Hypermobility

*Flat Feet

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunion

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet)

*Mild Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Degenerative Joint Disease

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcers 

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease

*Foot Drop

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability 

Ninth Place:
Ecco Yucaton
$129

This is a popular shoe with many of our patients due to it's comfort, decent price and the fact that it's light weight, good looking and versatile. It has a thick and relatively rigid sole with adjustable forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It particularly works well for older patients who prefer a lighter shoe. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis 

*Mild Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Forefoot Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild Flat Feet

*Mild Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients (Diabetic Patients need an enclosed shoe that is more protective)

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease 

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Eighth Place:
Abeo Huntington Neutral 
$119

This is a very similar sandal to the Ecco Yucaton in it's build, weight and recommendations. This sandal is approved by the American Medical Podiatric Association and provides good biomechanical control of the foot and ankle. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis 

*Mild Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Forefoot Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild Flat Feet

*Mild Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients (Diabetic Patients need an enclosed shoe that is more protective)

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease 

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Seventh Place:
Easy Spirit Women's Heel Riser 
$60

I really like this sandal! If you like the Fit-Flop - this is much better. It has an awesome sole that is thick, rigid and light. Easy Spirit claims that the sole has "Anti-Gravity formula with nitrogen bubbles in the foot bed and dual density mid-soles." Basically, it is a beautifully light-weight sandal with good forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It's semi-rocker bottom sole offers great shock absorption and protection for the entire foot. Every patient who has gotten this sandal - loves it!

Recommended For:

*Mild to Moderate Heel Pain

*Mild to Moderate Arch Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions 

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Ingrown Toenails

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunion

*Mild to Moderate Metatarsalgia 

*Mild to Moderate Capsulitis

*Mild to Moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st Toe Joint)

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis 

*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis 

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Hypermobility

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy

*Charcot Foot

*Drop-foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Sixth Place:
Chaco Z/2 Vibram Unasweep
$95

I love the Chaco's! This is a great sandal with fabulous arch support and a thick rigid protective sole. It's great for "surf and turf" wear and works well for anyone who has problems with sweaty or smelly feet (called hyperhidrosis and bromohydrosis) because the sandal is so easy to clean. If you have painful bunions or Tailor's bunions - be careful that the straps do not cut across them which can cause more irritation and discomfort. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Arch Pain

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Flat Feet & Pronation

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

NOT Recommended For:

*Painful Plantar Fibromas (benign bumps in the arch area) 

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Charcot Foot

*Drop Foot 

Fifth Place:
Bite Orthosport
$39

The best thing about this sandal is that the insole is removable and can be replaced by a custom-molded orthotic (assuming it's topcover is full-length and black so that it matches the sandal). However, the insole that comes with the sandal is very good since it is a soft material and offers good arch support. The forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping is adjustable and offers excellent biomechanical control for the foot and ankle. The only issue that can occur with this sandal is that if you get a size that is too small (or if you have an abnormally long 2nd toe) - your toes may hit the front "toe guard" which can be irritating and painful. Overall, an excellent sandal - particularly if you have a custom-molded orthotic that you need to wear!

Forth Place:
Keen's Newport H2
$75

Another great Keen Sandal! This sandal offers even more biomechanical control and protection of the foot and ankle than the Venice H2. It has a thick, rigid, and protective sole as well as an excellent forefoot guard for the toes and wonderful forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot adjustable strapping. If you have a 2nd toe that is excessively long compared to the other toes, this may not work as well for you as the long toe can bump against the toe guard and cause discomfort and even toenail injury and promotion of hammertoe formation. Just be sure that your toes do not jam forward into the toe guard and you should be fine. 

Similar recommendations as the Keen Venice H2 (See above).

Third Place:
The Sketcher Shape-Up X Wear - Dash
$80

It's frustrating when I hear the bad press on Sketcher Shape-Ups! Although there are some patients who I would never put in a rocker-bottom soled shoe, the majority patients wearing this shoe will greatly benefit from it. Patients who should not wear a rocker-bottom shoe are: anyone with balance issues, anyone with Achilles Tendonitis, the elderly, anyone with nerve damage that causes muscle or leg weakness. The patients who typically do benefit from this type of shoe are: people who are on their feet for long hours on hard surfaces, most people with knee, hip, or lower back pain, and people with heel pain. 

Recommended For:

*Heel Pain

*Lower Back Pain

*Knee and Hip pain

*Mild Tendonitis

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

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild to Moderate Metatarsalgia

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Morton's Neuromas

NOT Recommended For: 

*Diabetic Patients

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability 

*Muscle and Leg Weakness

*Balance Problems 

Second Place:

Taos Rockstep II

$59

This is another great rocker-bottom soled sandal. I like the extra arch support that is built into the sandal and I also like the aesthetics. 

Because this is a rocker-bottom sole sandal - the recommendations are the same as the Sketcher Shape-Up (See above).

First Place:
The MBT Katika 
$198

I own the MBT and if my lower back ever hurts, I wear the MBT walking shoe and I get instant relief. I do all my workouts on the treadmill in the MBT walking shoe and, as far as sandals go, I believe that the MBT sandals are excellent. The MBT's are a bit expensive but I recommend that my patients look at it as an investment as it may save them not just pain but also money in doctor's bills for painful feet, knees, hip and lower back. Good shoes are crucial to keeping joints healthy! So, as we get older, we can keep out joints healthy and protected so that we can stay active and do all the activities we love to do!

Recommended For:

* Heel Pain

*Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion across the 1st toe joint)

*Mild to Severe Osteoarthritis of the 1st Toe Joint or the forefoot joints (the MTPJ's)

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuromas

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Hypermobility

*Metatarsalgia

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

NOT Recommended For:

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Diabetic Patients

*Patients with history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulations)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

*Balance Problems

*Muscle and Leg Weakness 

I hope this helps you! 

Dr Cathleen A. McCarthy 

******

Check out my first novel written under the pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or you can download a free Kindle app and read it on your iPad or tablet. 

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