Excellent Shoes for Girls & Women with Small Feet!

Excellent Running Shoe 
for Girls and Women with Small Feet!

New Balance 860 V9

This is an excellent shoe that fits a women's size 5 up to size 13, which makes it a good choice for girls who need a supportive shoe as well as for women with unusually small feet. 

What makes this shoe so good is that it meets the 4 criteria of what is required for a shoe to be good enough for your feet:

1. It must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole for more stability and biomechanical protection. Less motion through foot joints means less inflammation, pain and damage. It also gives the runner a mechanical advantage, which should improve her running speed and decrease the risk of injury. 

2. It must have a wide, soft and square toebox so there is less pressure on the toes, which decreases the progression of bunions and hammertoes.  

3. It must have rearfoot control for more biomechanical control of the ankle and foot, which means less strain of the knees, hips and lower back.  

4. It should be able to accommodate arch support whether it's over-the-counter inserts or custom-molded orthotics. 

This Shoe is Recommended for Patients with:
* Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)
* Hallux Rigidus (no range of motion of the 1st toe joint because it has been surgically fused or degenerative joint disease)
* Functional Hallux Limitus
* Osteoarthritis 
* Rheumatoid Arthritis
* Metatarsalgia 
* Morton's Neuroma
* Capsulitis
* Tailor's Bunion
* Bunions
* Hammertoes
* Corns and Calluses
* Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
* Mild Achilles Tendonitis
* Mild Posterior Tibial Tendonitis 
* Mild Peroneal Tendonitis 
* Previous history of Lisfranc's Injuries 
* Mild Ankle Instability 
* Tired Leg Syndrome
* Muscle Weakness
* Parkinson's Disease 
* The Elderly 

Check with your Podiatrist to see if the NB 860 V9 is appropriate for you if you have any of these conditions:  
* Diabetes
* Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
* Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
* Severe Ankle Instability 
* History of Foot Ulcerations 

This Shoe is Not Appropriate if you have:
* Charcot Foot


I hope that this was helpful! For more articles, check out:

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 the patient's recovering from Lisfranc's injuries.
http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.html


Have a great day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:)



 

Clarks's Sandals - Podiatry Approved! !

Clarks Reedly Salene Wedge Sandal

Podiatrist Recommended

This Clark's sandal is my new favorite summer shoe! What's great about this sandal is that it meets the 3 of the 4 criteria required for a shoe to be excellent. Most importantly, it has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, which is the most important aspect of a shoe. It's counterintuitive, but less motion through joints means less pain, less inflammation, and less damage. It also has a relatively wide toe box and decent (but not excellent) rearfoot control. The one thing this sandal doesn't have is arch support but despite that I still find this to be an incredibly comfortable shoe.  

This Sandal is Recommended for People with:

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

* Functional Hallux Limitus (if you're my patient, you probably know what this is!)

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

* Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis 

* Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (check with your podiatrist first)

* Mild Metatarsalgia

* Mild Sesamoiditis

* Mild Capsulitis

* Mild Morton's Neuroma

* Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

* History of previous Lisfranc's Injury (check with your podiatrist first)

* Achilles Tendonitis 

This Sandal is Not Recommended for Patients with:

* Diabetes

* Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

* Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

* Lymphedema

* Severe Over-Pronation 

* Ankle Instability (you need more ankle support than this shoe offers)

* Drop Foot

* History of Foot Ulcerations

* Severe Hammertoes

* Moderate to Severe Bunions & Tailor's Bunions

I hope that this was helpful! For more information, please refer to these articles:

Shoe Recommendations for Patients Recovering from Lisfranc's Injuries:

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

My Feet Hurt! Top 20 Things to do to Alleviate Foot Pain Today:

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

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Sports Specific Shoes - Podiatrist Recommended.

Podiatrist Recommended

Sports Specific Shoes

Although this list is not comprehensive, I did my best to give you some excellent options for various sports specific shoe options. 

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 also important to find shoes with a wide, soft toe box that puts less pressure on toes, which helps to prevent corns, ingrown toenails and even will decrease the risk of developing toenail fungus. 

Third, all shoes that you wear should have rear foot control because shoes without rear foot 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. 

Running:

Wearing a running shoe with a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole actually will improve your speed and performance. It works off the lever principle, which means that if you wear a rigid sole while running than that will translate into a significant mechanical advantage, improved efficiency, and energy conservation. 

New Balance 1540 V2
(There is also a women's version of the NB 1540)

New Balance 1080 V8

(Men's version also available)

Hoka One One Gaviota

Hoka One One Arahi 2 




Men's Brooks Beast

Walking:

New Balance 928

New Balance 990 V4

Hoka One One Bondi Leather

New Balance 1300 V1

New Balance 1400 V1

Brooks Addiction Walker

New Balance 813

NB 813 is great for older patients with balance issues. It also comes with velcro strapping for added ease of putting on and taking off.

Trail Running:

Hoka One One Speed Goat 2

Hiking:

Hoka One One Tor Ultra Hi

Hoka One One Tor Summit 

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX

Soccer:

Tekela Pro Fg

Men's Tennis and Pickleball:

New Balance 806 V2

Beach and Pool Activities:

Keen's Newport H2 

Chaco Z1 or Z2

Men's Golf:

Footjoy Originals

New Balance Golf 1701

Women's Golf:

Footjoy Pro SL/BOA

I hope that this list was helpful! I will try to add to the list as I find more shoes that fit the criteria. For more articles and information, you can refer to:

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's injuries. 

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

Thank you for reading the blog!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Nike Zoom Fly - Podiatry Recommended

Nike Zoom Fly

Podiatry Recommended

The Nike Zoom Fly is a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable running shoe. Although I still prefer the Hoka running shoes for all-around comfort and stellar shock absorption and the New Balance 1540 for stability and the extra depth toe box, the Nike Zoom Fly is a great choice because it has an excellent sole that is thick, rigid and non-flexible, which allows for miles of comfortable running. 

The 4 things that a shoe must have to be comfortable (and podiatry recommended) are:

1. It must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole so that there is no motion through foot joints, tendons, ligament and even muscles. It is counterintuitive, but the concept is that less motion equals less pain, inflammation, and swelling.  

2. It has a wide and soft toe box that decreases pressure on the toes, which helps stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, and corns (to name a few). 

3. It has rearfoot control, which allows for more biomechanical control and stability of the foot and ankle structures. 

4. This shoe will also accommodate a custom-molded orthotic or an excellent over-the-counter insert for better arch support. 

This shoe is recommended for patients with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

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

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint when you are non-weight bearing)

*Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint when you are weight bearing)

*Morton's Neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Sesamoiditis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Hammertoes 

*History of mild to moderate Lisfranc's Injury

*Tailor's Bunion

*Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Degenerative Joint Disease

*Mild to Moderate Over-Pronation

*Mild Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity

Check with your Podiatrist before wearing this shoe if you have:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Vascular Disease (poor circulation)

*History of a severe Lisfranc's Injury

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

This shoe is not recommended for patients with: 

*Charcot Foot

*History of diabetic foot ulcerations

I hope that this was helpful. For more information, please refer to my other 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's Injuries. 

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

Have a great day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Dansko Lynnie - Podiatrist Recommended Sandal

Podiatrist Recommended

Dansko Lynnie

I know it's late in the summer season to be recommending sandals, but this sandal is so good that I had to post about it. Plus, I live in Arizona, which is the land of the perpetual summer!

This sandal meets 3 of the 4 criteria required to make a shoe podiatrist recommended: 

1. It has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, which is the most important aspect of finding shoes that are comfortable and good for your feet. If you are in a shoe that stops motion through painful joints and foot structures, then you will have less inflammation, less swelling and less pain. It also will help slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, and arthritis.

2. It has a wide toe box, which means less pressure on toes. This will help slow the progress of hammertoes and even may help prevent and clear up toenail fungal infections. 

3. It has rearfoot control, which means there is less biomechanical strain because a rearfoot strap on a sandal helps to limit motion through the rearfoot so that you will not have to 'scrunch down' your toes to stay in a shoe (such as a flip-flop). It also has the added benefit of helping to reduce knee, hip and lower back pain. 

4. Arch support.  This sandal, unfortunately, doesn't have arch support. An option is to purchase OTC arch support that has an adhesive underside and can be placed into the sandal for added comfort. This will not be enough arch support for anyone with severely problematic feet, but it should work for someone with only mild to moderate biomechanical issues.  

Recommended for patients with:

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

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

*Functional Hallux Limitus 

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Tailor Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Ingrown Toenails

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Osteoarthritis

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Issues

*Sesmoid Issues

*Lisfranc Joint Issues

*Peroneal Tendonitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

Not recommended for patients with: 

*Severe Over-Pronation (not enough arch support) 

*Ankle Instability

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Drop Foot

*Diabetics

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation) 

*Posterior Tibial Tendonitis (not enough arch support) 

*Severe Hypermobility/Ligament Laxity

*Excessive Swelling

*Lymphedema

For more information, please refer to my other articles on this blog:

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc Injuries,

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

Top 10 reasons why your feet hurt - and how to alleviate the pain. 
http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2014/10/top-ten-reasons-why-your-feet-hurt-and.html

Thank you for reading and I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Podiatrist Recommend Hiking Boot - Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX

Podiatrist Recommended 

Men's Hiking Boots

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX

This is an excellent men's hiking shoe and, if you are a woman who can't find a comfortable hiking shoe, go to REI and try on this men's boot. This is the boot that my husband (aka Mister 15,000 steps per day!) is currently wearing and it has resolved some foot issues that he was developing while wearing his old hiking boots, which were wearing out and getting too flexible (and therefore causing foot pain).

For a shoe to be good enough for your feet (and be comfortable), they must meet 4 criteria:

1. They must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole that allows no motion through painful joints. It's counterintuitive, but a rigid and non-flexible sole is the most important feature of a shoe. 90% of all shoes out there are complete garbage because their soles are too flexible and flimsy. Soles that allow motion through painful joints cause more pain and joint damage.  

2. A wide toe box, so there is no pressure on the toes and toenails, which can cause bunions, hammertoes, corns, Morton's Neuromas, Tailor's bunions, and fungal toenails.  

3. Rearfoot control, which means that you have to at least have a strap around the back of the shoe (no flip-flops or mules). Rearfoot control allows for more biomechanical control of the foot and ankle structures, which means less inflammation, swelling and pain.  

4. Arch support, which you can do with a custom-molded orthotic or at least an excellent over-the-counter insert for better arch support. 

If your foot hurts, you might want to consider going to the store and trying on this boot because it's sort of like wearing a mini-CAM-walker, which is what is used to treat broken bones in the feet. 

This boot is recommended for patients with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

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

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

*Functional Hallux Limitus 

*history of Lisfranc's Joint Injuries

*Morton's Neuroma (make sure that the toe box is wide and causes no pressure on the forefoot area)

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Tailor's Bunions

*Plantar Plate Injuries

*Osteoarthritis

*Degenerative Joint Disease

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

*Peroneal Tendonitis

*Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (wear orthotics) 

*Sinus Tarsi Syndrome 

This boot is not recommended for patients with:

*History of Diabetic Ulcerations

*Charcot Foot

*Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

*Muscle Weakness

*Foot Drop 

Check with your podiatrist if you have these conditions: 

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage) 

For more information, please check out these articles:

Shoe recommendation for patients recovering from Lisfranc's Injuries.

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

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

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:) 

 

Clarks Wedge Heels - Podiatrist Recommended for some foot types.

Clarks Maritsa Lara

Podiatrist Recommended

The Clark's Maritsa Lara is a great choice for fashion and comfort for some foot types. What makes this shoe comfortable is that it meets 3 of the 4 criteria required for a shoe to be good enough for your feet. 

Most importantly, this shoe has a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole which is absolutely crucial for foot comfort. Shoes with flexible soles are horrible for your feet because a shoe that allows motion through joints causes pain, inflammation, swelling and can lead to osteoarthritic joint changes. Secondly, this shoe has a wide toe box that helps prevent the risk of hammertoes, bunions, corns, neuromas, ingrown toenails, and fungal toenails. The rearfoot strap helps to control motion which means that there will be less biomechanical strain on joints and tendons, which will help to speed the healing of pathologies such as Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Wearing a shoe with rearfoot strapping also helps to decrease strain on the knees, hips and lower back. 

This shoe is recommended for patients with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

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

*Mild Functional Hallux Limitus

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild Over-Pronation

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Osteoarthritis (maybe) 

*History of previous Lisfranc's Injury (maybe) 

This shoe is not recommended for patients with: 

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

*Balance Issues

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Diabetes

*History of Ulcerations

*Lymphedema (excessive swelling) 

*Drop Foot

*Ankle Instability 

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Over-Pronation

*Severe Osteoarthritis 

*Rheumatoid Arthritis 

*Charcot-Marie Tooth

*Charcot Foot 

For more information about comfortable shoes and your feet, please refer to these articles: 

My feet hurt! Top 10 things 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's Injuries. 

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

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)