Podiatrist Approved Shoes for Autumn 2016 - Fly London.

Fly London

Four Choices for Autumn 2016 that are

Podiatrist Recommended

Here are four great choices for Autumn 2016! These four Fly London shoes/boot are from the 'Yellow Red' Collection, which can be seen on the FlyLondon.com website under Ladies 2015 (because their 2016 collection is not out yet). Avoid the other collections as the vast majority of the shoes in the other shoe collections seem to have more flimsy soles and do not meet the criteria of what makes a good/comfortable shoe. 

What makes these four shoes good choices are that they each meet the three of the four criteria that a shoe must have to be comfortable. 

1. They each have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, which is absolutely crucial for all day foot comfort. A thick, non-flexible sole means that there is no motion through the bottom of the foot, which means that the joints and foot structures are more protected. 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. 

2. Each of these shoes also has a wide toe box, which means less pressure on bunions, hammertoes, and corns. 

3. They also each have rearfoot control, which is important because it helps to 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 should also help with decreasing strain on the knees, hips, and lower back. 

4. You can add arch support by adding a dress orthotic specifically made for a wedge dress shoe (which you can get from your local podiatrist). A dress orthotic should fit nicely into these shoes, which will help with arch support. These shoes don't require arch support, but dress orthotics should help to slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes and help with heel pain and help with people who have over-pronation and hypermobility. 

These shoes/boots are recommended for people with:

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Plantar Plate Strain

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

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

*1st toe joint surgically fused (at 15 degrees, which is standard)

*1st toe joint with a surgical implant (check with your podiatrist) 

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Healed Lisfranc's Injury (Check with your podiatrist first)

*Mild Over-Pronation

*Mild Hypermobility or Ligament Laxity (Check with your podiatrist if needed) 

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (Check with your podiatrist first) 

These shoes/boots are not recommended for people with: 

*Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint - unless the toe has been surgically fused at 15 degrees dorsiflexion, which is standard)

*Prominent Bunions

*Severe Hammertoes

*Severe Ankle Instability

*Severe Hypermobility or Ligament Laxity

*History of multiple Ankle Sprains

*Severe Osteoarthritis

*Severe Degenerative Joint Disease

*Seere Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Vascular Disease (poor circulation)  

*History of Ulcerations (open sores) 

*Bone Spurs on the top of the midfoot (although you can try skipping a lace over the area to decrease pressure) 

*History of Falling

*Balance Issues

I hope that this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

*For more information, please refer to these articles on this blog:

Top 10 reasons why your feet hurt -- and what to do to alleviate the pain today!

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2014/10/top-ten-reasons-why-your-feet-hurt-and.html

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's foot injuries -- or any foot injuries! 

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

Oboz Luna - Podiatrist's Review of Women's Hiking Shoe.

Oboz Luna

Podiatrist's Review of the Oboz Luna

Women's Hiking Shoe

Since the older 5-10 Camp Four hiking boot was updated and "improved" I have been hard-pressed to find a decent hiking shoe to recommend. The new and improved 5-10 Camp Four is pretty terrible, so I no longer recommend it. When the 5-10 Camp Four shoe company discontinued the older version, I made my husband go online and buy 5 pairs! 

The Oboz Luna for women is a pretty good hiking shoe. It's certainly not perfect, but it is been the best I could find on a recent search of hiking stores. The major fault of the Oboz Luna is that the forefoot has too much flexibility (meaning it has mild flexibility), but, compared to all the other hiking shoes in the store, it was the most rigid sole available. If you are a serious hiker and have a history of forefoot issues, you may have to replace this shoe every six months. What I do like about the Oboz Luna is it does have a wide toebox, good rearfoot control, and good traction. It would be best if you could wear this shoe with a custom-molded orthotic from you local podiatrist or the over-the-counter full-length Powerstep insert, which would replace the insole that comes with the shoe. 

My husband and I spent the weekend visiting friends in Sedona and we visited a local hiking store. The salesperson told us that they sell a lot of shoes to newbie hikers who try to hike in the minimalist shoes and come off the trail limping and looking for a sturdier shoe. If your local hiking store doesn't carry the Oboz Luna then I would suggest you find the hiking shoe that has a thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole with excellent traction on the bottom. Make sure you have the salesperson measure your feet (while wearing socks) so that you get proper sizing and a good fit. If they are not comfortable then do not buy them. You should not have to break-in shoes! 

This shoe is recommended for patients with:

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

*Mild to moderate Bunions 

*Mild to moderate Hammertoes

*Mild to moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Plantar Plate strain

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Over-Pronation

*Ligament Laxity (wear orthotics or Powerstep OTC insert) 

*Mild Ankle Instability (you may need to wear an ankle brace for more support)

*History of a healed Lisfranc's Injury (wear orthotics and maybe even an ankle brace -- talk to your local Podiatrist or Ortho who treated you)

*Well-Controlled Diabetes with no history of previous ulcerations (please get this cleared with your Podiatrist first)

*Peripheral Neuropathy with no history of previous ulcerations (please get this cleared with your Podiatrist first)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (please get cleared this with your Podiatrist first)

This shoe is not recommended for patients with:

*Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint -- you will need a more rigid-soled shoe - something that has absolutely no motion through the forefoot area) 

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

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

*Moderate to Severe Metatarsalgia

*Severe Morton's Neuroma

*Severe Hammertoes

*Severe Bunions

*Moderate to Severe Plantar Plate Strain 

*Moderate to Severe Capsulitis 

*Peripheral Neuropathy with a history of previous ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease with a history of previous ulcerations

*Diabetes with a history of ulcerations and complications

*Ulcerations or open sores 

*Charcot Foot

I hope that this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

For more information, check out my other articles on this blog:

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from previous Lisfranc's Injuries:

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

Top 15 shoes to help with foot, knee, hip and lower back pain:

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2016/07/top-15-shoes-that-will-change-your-life.html

Top 15 Shoes for Foot Pain! Podiatrist Recommends Shoes to help with foot, knee, hip and lower back pain.

Podiatrist Recommended:

Top 15 Shoes For Foot Pain!

Crocs Rx - Relief or Ultimate Cloud

or the Crocs Specialist (with no vents)

or the Crocs Mammouth (fleece lined)

Rx Crocs Relief, Ultimate Cloud, Specialist or the Mammouth are my top picks for bedroom slippers. They are prescription strength and they are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for diabetic patients. The Rx Crocs Relief are being discontinued soon, but they can still be found online. The next best option is the Crocs Specialist (without the vents). 

As a general rule, the only time you should be barefoot (and standing) is when you are in the shower. I recommend that you wear Rx Crocs as soon as you get out of bed in the morning and also in the night if you get up to go to the bathroom. As soon as you get out of the shower, put on the Crocs. I treat many foot injuries that happen between the bed and the bathroom at 3am! The Crocs could potentially save you from broken toes, foreign bodies, warts, heel pain (to name a few) and, for geriatric patients, they will significantly decrease the risk of falling. Not all Crocs are good. In fact, many styles of Crocs are terrible, so try any of the ones listed above as they are the best of all of the Crocs. 

The Crocs are only meant to be worn to putter around the house. Once you are ready for your day, you should put on more supportive shoes, which I will cover later in this article. 

If you stop walking barefoot and flimsy bedroom slippers and switch to one of these Crocs, you should see about a 30% decrease in foot, knee, hip and lower back pain within 3 weeks! 

Vionix Relax Slipper

Even thought the Vionix Relax Slipper doesn't have rearfoot control, this is an excellent option for bedroom slippers. The Crocs work for about 95% of people, but they do not work for everyone. If the Crocs aren't working for you, the Vionix Relax Slippers may be perfect for you. What makes them so good is that they have a thick, rigid and nonflexible sole with good arch support and lots of cushion. The straps are adjustable to accommodate for swelling.

Birkenstock Sandals

If you like your foot comfort with a bit of Granola, then this is your shoe! 

For any shoe to be good enough for your feet, they must meet four criteria:

1. A thick, rigid and non-flexible sole with a wide base. Less motion through injured or painful joints means there will be less damage and irritation to these areas. The concept is counterintuitive. Less motion through painful joints means less inflammation, less swelling, less pain and it improves healing and biomechanical function. There is a false idea out there that the foot needs freedom and motion. The problem is, you have 28 bones in each foot and some of these joints (particularly in the midfoot and rearfoot area) have only a limited amount of range of motion. If you are wearing a super-flexible shoe, then you are allowing too much motion through joints that aren't supposed to have that much motion. The result can be broken bones, tendon and ligament injuries, arthritic joint changes and degenerative joint disease. Once your foot hurts and you are limping, it is just a matter of time until you have knee, hip and lower back issues. A shoe with a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole is crucial for good joint health.  

2. Wide toebox. A wide, soft toebox will decrease pressure on the toes, which will slow the progression of hammertoes, bunions, corns and arthritic joint changes. 

3. Rearfoot control. In my opinion, even the best flip-flip is not good enough for your feet! If your shoe doesn't have rearfoot control then you are forcing your tendons, joints, ligaments to work harder to stay in the shoe, which causes tired leg syndrome, inflammation, increased risk of injury and more strain on the knees, hips and lower back. If you are wearing shoes without rearfoot control then you have to grip down your toes to stay in the shoe, which promotes hammertoes. 

4. Arch support. If there isn't arch support built into your shoes, you can often add custom-molded orthotics or an excellent over-the-counter insert like Powerstep or a heat-molded insert that you can get through your Podiatrist. If you don't think you need arch support because you have high arches, consider this: bridges have arches and engineers still put struts and supports under them. Arch support helps to decrease mechanical strain and slow the progression of bunions and hammertoes as well as help with knee, hip and lower back pain. Ten percent of people cannot tolerate arch support. If arch support hurts your feet, then discontinue wearing them and focus on excellent shoes with rigid, non-flexible soles.

Keens Newport H2

The Keens Newport H2 is a great amphibious sandal that you can wear to the beach. For anyone with foot pain or if you are recovering from a foot injury, you should wear this when at the beach and walking into the sand and even into the surf. This is also a good choice for anyone doing weight-bearing exercises or water aerobics in a pool. I recommend that you purchase this sandal in the store because quality greatly varies. You will need to make sure that you only purchase the ones that have the least flexible soles. I find that at least 10% of the time shoes are defective, broken or poorly made. Always double-check the rigidity of the soles before you purchase them. If they are flexing, ask the salesperson to get you another pair. 

Ecco Yucatan

The Ecco Yucatan is a great choice for many people and has the added advantage of extra cushion in the insole and better than average arch support. Once again, quality varies so only purchase them if the sole does not bend or flex!

Fit Flop Sandals

The Fit-Flop sandal is a good choice for anyone who has excessively large bunions and hammertoes. The Fit-Flop flip-flop is carried by many stores, but the Fit-Flop sandals are harder to find and you usually have to purchase these online. The quality of the sole varies and you only want to purchase the ones that have a more rigid and non-flexible sole. Less motion through the forefoot area means less irritation to the forefoot area, which means that a rigid sole will help with metatarsalgia, Morton's neuromas, capsulitis, plantar plate injuries, arthritic joints and will slow the progression of bunions and hammertoes. 

New Balance 928 

The New Balance 928 is the best walking shoe that works for the vast majority of patients. The NB 928 has roll-bar technology that doesn't allow motion through the bottom of the foot and therefore protects your foot joints. It has an extra-depth toebox, which means that there is less pressure on bunions, hammertoes and painful corns. The NB 928 accommodates custom-molded orthotics and can often accommodate custom ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs) for patients with more serious issues. Once again, I highly recommend that you go to the store to try on this shoe. Quality varies and if you happen to find one that has a flexible forefoot sole - don't buy it! Ask the salesperson to get you another pair from the storeroom. They may not understand why as this concept is not common knowledge. You can blame the extra trouble on me - just tell them that your podiatrist insists that you wear shoes that don't allow any motion through your forefoot joints.

The NB 928 also comes in black leather and dark brown and can be worn as a work shoe with casual business wear. If you have a strict dress code at work, your podiatrist can write a prescription stating that it is medically necessary for you to wear this shoe at work. 

New Balance 1540

If the NB 928 don't work for you, then this is your next best bet. The NB 1540 is an excellent shoe that also has roll-bar technology and an extra-depth toebox. 

Hoka One One Stinson ATR

The Hoka shoes were designed for runners who have been told by a doctor that they should never run again because of knee, hip or lower back pain. If you are a runner who is starting to experience joint issues or if you are a runner who wants to prevent issues so that you can get more years of running - this is a great choice! I like the Hoka Stinson better than the other Hoka styles because it has a sturdier sole, which means that the shoe lasts longer. The Hoka Stinson has three times the support and cushion as any other running shoes, which makes this a great choice for anyone with heel pain. This is an all-terrain running shoe and has a grippy-bottom, which decreases the risk of slipping when you are trail running. 

Dansko Professional Clogs

The Danko Professional Clog is not for everyone! This is an amazing shoe for anyone who works long hours on smooth, concrete floors. It doesn't work well if you are walking on uneven surfaces or cobblestone. The Dansko Professional Clog is perfect shoe for anyone with Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint), Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint), metatarsalgia and arthritis of the forefoot joints. 

What makes the shoe so excellent is that it meets the four criteria required to make a shoe comfortable:

1. Thick, rigid and non-flexible sole.

2. Wide toebox

3. Rearfoot Control

4. Arch Support

I highly recommend that you go to the store to try these on. You will know instantly if you love them or hate them! This is my go-to shoe for work and I love them! 

Alden by J Crew

Expensive, but worth every cent! This shoe is amazing because it has a true full-length metal shank built into the sole. There is simply zero motion through the sole, which means that they are amazingly comfortable. If the toe box was wider and less tapered, this could possibly be the most comfortable dress shoe that I have ever come across. Many shoes claim they have a metal shanks built into the sole, but they are usually referring to a 2/3 metal shank that only controls the midfoot and not the forefoot. For a metal shank to be effective, it must be the length of the entire shoe and it has to be strong enough to stop all motion. Unfortunately, there are many poor quality, 2/3 length shoe shanks out there. 

Brooks Beast

This is an excellent maximum motion-control running shoe that meets all the criteria that is required for foot comfort. This is also an easy shoe to get teenage boys into because it's not orthopaedic looking and they love the name! If you don't have custom-molded orthotics, you can get Powerstep inserts online and it will replace the insole within the shoe for better arch support. 

Aravon Katy

This sandal can be purchased at your local New Balance store. This is an excellent choice for more mature patients who need the rigid sole but also like the extra cushion on the insole. The quality of the sole varies, so make sure that you only purchase them if the soles have as little motion and flexibility as possible. 

Wolky Jewel 

(or Cloggy or Tulip or Rio)

Great choices for anyone looking for a comfortable sandal! The These Wolky sandals work for most of my patients. Make sure you only purchase ones that have a rigid, non-flexible sole and, to do this, I would recommend that you purchase these in a store so you can try them on and test them. The insole has a little cushion and has decent arch support. The strapping allows for more biomechanical control, which is beneficial for anyone recovering from a Lisfranc's injury. The sandal can also accommodate a standard ankle brace.

MBT

The MBT's are excellent shoes, but they are not for everyone! The MBT's have a rocker-bottom sole, which is the same sole that is on a below the knee walking boot, which is what is used to treat broken bones. No motion through the bottom of the foot equals less pain through bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, which will allow for all-day comfort and facilitated healing. 

If you have a history of Achilles Tendonitis - do not wear any rocker-bottom shoe! If this shoe 'rocks' you backwards and puts excessive stain on your Achilles tendon then it can cause a tendon injury. The MBT's are also not recommended for anyone with hypermobility, ligament laxity, muscle or leg weakness, balance issues or a history of tendonitis. 

The MBT's are excellent if you have:

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

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

*Functional Hallux Limitus

*Degenerative joint disease of any of the forefoot joints

*Arthritis of any of the foot joints

*Morton's neuroma

*Metatarsalgia

*Plantar Plate injury

*Capsulitis

*Mild Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunion

*Corns & Calluses

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Previous history of Lisfranc's Injury 

*Knee, hip and lower back issues

I hope that this was helpful and I sincerely thank you for reading my blog. Please share this article on social media so we can hopefully benefit others who are suffering with foot, knee, hip or lower back pain.  

Thank you for reading my blog,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Comfortable Wedge Heels for Summer 2016 - Pikolinos - Podiatry Recommended

Pikolinos

Two great choices for Summer 2016

Podiatrist Recommended

Pikolinos Mykonos

Pikolinos Madeira

Much thanks to my stylish patient who found these sandals! Both of these wedge heels are great choices for wearing on smooth, concrete surfaces. I would not recommend them for significantly uneven pavement or cobblestone. If possible, I recommend that you try on these shoes at the store so that you can get a good fit and make sure that they are comfortable. What makes both of these wedges so good is that they meet the criteria of what makes a good shoe. 

The four criteria required for a comfortable shoe:

1. A thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, so that there is no motion through the foot joints. Eliminating motion through foot joints decreases the progression of bunions, hammertoes and arthritic joint changes as well as decreasing inflammation, swelling and pain of tendons, muscles and ligaments. If you have arthritis or any joint issues in your feet (degenerative changes, history of a fracture or injury, ect) then wearing a shoe that is flexible will cause more wear and tear on the joints, which will cause more damage and pain. If you are recovering from a foot injury and are trying to transition from your below-the-knee walking boot into normal shoes -- the trick is to ease into shoes that do the same thing that the CAM walker did -- stop motion through the area of pain so that you can continue to heal and be comfortable. 

2. Wide toebox. A wide, soft toebox will decrease the progression of hammertoes, bunions, corns and calluses and other issues such as Morton's neuromas. If water can slowly wear down boulders into sand, then what do you think the pressure from pointy-toed shoes are doing to your joints throughout your lifetime? 

3. Rearfoot Control. In my opinion, there are no flip-flops that are good enough for anyone's feet! If you are not wearing a strap around the rearfoot, then you are forced to grip down with your toes, which helps promote hammertoes, mechanical strain and tired-leg syndrome.  

4. Arch Support. Although there is no significant arch support in these two sandals, you can get an over-the-counter cushion from the pharmacy that will adhere to the top of the footbed to give added arch support.  

These shoes are recommended for patients with:

*Mild to moderate Hallux Limitus

*Mild to moderate Functional Hallux Limitus 

*Hallux Rigidus (Mykonos)

*History of a 1st toe joint implant or fusion (Mykonos)

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis (clear with your podiatrist) 

*Mild to Moderate Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

*Plantar Plate Injury

*Capsulitis

*Over-Pronation (try to add a self-adhesive arch support and only wear for social occasions and not for all day walking)

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*History of a previous Lisfranc's injury or fracture that has healed (please check with your podiatrist to see if this shoe is appropriate for you)

*Mild Hammertoes

*Mild Bunions

*Mild Tailor's Bunions 

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*History of healed tendonitis (check with your podiatrist)

These shoes are NOT recommended for patients with: 

*Diabetes

*History or Ulcerations

*Charcot foot

*Balance Issues

*Moderate to Severe Hypermobility or Ligament Laxity 

*History of Falling

*Instability

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Charcot-Marie Tooth

*Neurological Issues

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Excessive swelling

*Moderate to Severe Lymphedema

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

My Feet Hurt: Top Ten Things to do 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 Foot Injuries.

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


Top 30 Comfortable Sandals for Summer 2016.
http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2016/02/podiatrist-recommended-comfortable.html

I hope this was helpful and I thank you for reading the blog!

Have a wonderful day,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Top 30 Comfortable Sandals for Summer 2016 - Podiatrist Recommended.

Podiatrist Recommended 

Top 30 (Plus!)

Comfortable Sandal List

Summer 2016 

My summer sandal list is chock-full of options for those of you looking for a good-looking summer sandal that feels good on your feet. The recommendations are pathology specific, so what works for one foot type doesn't always work for a different foot type or pathology. I will offer tips for picking the best sandal for you. Keep in mind that, no matter what I recommend, the shoe must feel good on your feet. If the shoe is not comfortable on your feet then that shoe is not for you. 

For a shoe to be comfortable it must meet four criteria. You can get any shoe you want as long as the shoe meets the four criteria of what makes a good shoe and it passes the acid test - it has to feel good on your feet! 

The four criteria a shoe must have to be comfortable are:

1. A thick, rigid and non-flexible sole. This is crucial. If you are wearing a shoe with a sole that you can bend or is flexible, then you are setting yourself up for arthritic joint changes, injuries and stress through joints, tendons, ligaments as well as knee, hip and lower back issues. The concept is counter-intuitive, but having a shoe sole that is thick, rigid and non-flexible will put less motion through your foot joints. Less motion through your foot joints translates into less inflammation, swelling, injury and biomechanical strain. If you are recovering from a foot injury or foot pain of any type, the last thing that you want to do is force motion through the area of previous injury or current pain. If you are skeptical, give it a try and judge for yourself. 

2. A wide, soft toebox with as little pressure on the toes as possible. Pointy-toed shoes or ill-fitting, tight toeboxes can cause painful and cosmetically unpleasing bunions, hammertoes as well as corns and calluses. 

3. Rearfoot Control.  At the very least, you need to wear a shoe with a rearfoot strap. You will notice that there are no flip-flops or mules on any of my shoe lists. Without rearfoot control, you are forcing all of you tendons, ligaments and joints to work harder to stay in the shoe, which causes mechanical strain and can contribute to knee, hip and lower back issues. Also, without rearfoot control, you are forced to scrunch down you toes to stay in the flip-flop, which will speed up the progression of hammertoes and bunions. 

4. Arch Support. Ideally, you want to wear arch support, but in sandals that is not always possible. Arch support, in the form of over-the-counter products or custom-molded orthotics, can help to control over-pronation and decrease mechanical strain on the foot joints as well as the knees, hips and lower back. Ten percent of patients cannot tolerate arch support, so if arch support hurts your feet you might be one of the ten-percent of patients who should not wear arch support. Be aware that if your arch support hurts, then you might have it in the wrong shoe or you might have the wrong arch support. Talk to your podiatrist about what type of shoes and arch support are appropriate for your foot type.

Sandals are not appropriate for patients with:

*Diabetes

*History of Foot Ulcerations or Open Sores

*Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Charcot Foot

*Custom-molded Ankle-Foot Orthosis

*Drop Foot

If there is any doubt about what type of shoes are appropriate for you, I recommend that you make an appointment with your local Podiatrist for a biomechanical evaluation. Avoid surgery and opt for conservative treatment options first. The goal of foot surgery is to take an abnormal, painful foot and turn it into an abnormal, non-painful foot. You should exhaust conservative treatment before you consider foot or ankle surgery.  

Ash Vera Crackled Leather Sandal

Ash Vera Crocodile Embossed Leather Sandal

I am loving the Ash sandals! They both are nice adaptations of the Birkenstock and, in my eyes, I like how funky cool they look. They meet the four criteria of what makes a comfortable sandal and they have the added benefit of possibly being able to accommodate your dress custom-molded orthotic. If you have severe over-pronation, the high interior edge might cause skin irritation, blisters or pressure which is uncomfortable. If you have ligament laxity, hypermobility or instability of the ankles (rolling outward) and a history of ankle sprains, the high outside flair should help to hold your foot in a more stable position.

Birkenstock Milano Soft Footbed Super Grip Shoes

The Birkenstock Milano is a great choice for almost any foot type. The thick, rigid sole is covered with a soft footbed for added comfort and the straps are all adjustable so you can get a better fit. This is the perfect sandal for anyone with Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint), Osteoarthritis of the forefoot and midfoot joints, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), mild over-pronation, Morton's Neuroma, metatarsalgia and plantar plate injuries (to name a few). This may not be the best choice if you have chronic Achilles tendon issues as you will need a sandal that has a slightly higher heel in the back so there is less tension on the Achilles tendon.   

Born Bastille Sandals

I love the look of the Born Bastille sandals! The thick, rigid and non-flexible sole is perfect for anyone with Hallux Limitus, Functional Hallux Limitus, metatarsalgia, Osteoarthritis of the toe joints and history of a previous Lisfranc's injury. This sandal also is a good choice for anyone with heel pain. 

Born Emmy Sea Green 

I love this look and wore this heel height and brand for many years. If you are able to wear this heel height comfortably then this shoe should work for you. At some point in your life, you will no longer to be able to comfortably handle the heel height and you will have to transition into a lower heel. Your body will tell you when you hit that point and then you just make the change into...

Born Lucee

A lower heel! I think this sandal is adorable. It doesn't have arch support, so if you have severe over-pronation, this sandal might not work for you. 

Born Petulla

Born Tera

Circus by Sam Edelman

Clarks Caslynn Shae

Clarks Clarene Award

Dirty Laundry Ballroom

HKR Sandals

I love the look of this sandal and, with a price tag of thirty dollars, it's a steal. It does come in limited sizes, so if you like it, get it quick.

Clarks Hazelle Amore

Kenneth Cole Reaction Pepe Pot

Clarks Auriel Finn

Alegria Verona Sandal

The Alegria sandals has a sturdy sole with a wide base that helps with stability. This is a good pick for anyone who has Functional Hallux Limitus (decreased range of motion through the 1st toe joint), plantar fasciitis (heel pain) as well as knee, hip and lower back issues.  

Birkenstock Sydney Sandal

This is a great choice for anyone with large bunions and severe hammertoes that do not comfortably fit in enclosed shoes or sandals with forefoot strapping. Although I typically like sandals to have more forefoot control, that is not always an option if you have large, painful bunions and hammertoes. 

Chaco Z1 Sandal

This is an excellent choice for the beach. It is an amphibious sandal as you can wear it on the beach as well as in the surf. I highly recommend that you wear an amphibious sandal when you go in the surf at the beach. It will help prevent injuries such as stepping on broken glass, coral, sea urchin spines and sharp rocks. 

Dirty Laundry Gung Ho

Kork-Ease Myrna 2.0 Metallix Wedge

Kork-Ease Ava

I recommend that you try the higher-heeled sandals on at the store to make sure that they are comfortable. These can be found at Dillard's as well as other major department stores. 

Mephisto Barbara Wedge Sandal

This sandal works better on tiny petite women who are not over-weight. My experience has been that the sole in the forefoot of this shoe starts to break down a little quicker than it should if you are heavier. The patients who are petite tend to do well with this shoe for a longer amount of time than the more voluptuous, Rubenesque women. 

Naot Paris 

Naot Kayla Sandals

The Naot sandals are wonderful! The Naot Kayla offers similar benefits as the Birkenstock Milano sandals (reviewed above). It has excellent strapping for more biomechanical control and a thick, rigid sole covered with a soft topcover for more comfort. The Naot Paris has a topcover with more cushioning than the Naot Kayla and is excellent for anyone with painful calluses.

Steve Madden Nylee Flatform Wedge Sandals

You're going to have to try this one on at the store to see if it works for you. I wish it had an extra midfoot strapping for more biomechanical control, but I do love the look and this should work for some patients. I do not recommend this sandal if you have balance issues or you know you are going to be walking on uneven surfaces like cobblestone. This wedge sandal will work best on flat, even surfaces such as concrete floors. This sandal is also not ideal for anyone with moderate to severe over-pronation as there is no arch support. 

Wolky Jewel

A classic and my personal favorite! This in one of the best sandals you can get. Make sure that when you purchase it that you double- check that the sole does not bend or flex as quality with any shoe can vary. Always get the shoe with the sole that bends and flexes the least. 

Wolky Lily

Wolky Rio White Crush Suede

Keen's Newport H2

Keen's Newport H2 is a great option for an amphibious sandal to wear to the beach. Wear it in the sand and in the surf to help prevent foot injuries and pain. This is also the sandal that I recommend for patients who do water aerobics to help protect the feet while in the pool. 

Dansko Lolita

Dansko Stevie

The Dansko brand is not for every foot type or every patient, but they can be an excellent shoe for anyone with Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint), Osteoarthritis of the toe joints, a history of a previous Lisfranc's injury and heel pain (to name a few). I highly recommend that you try on the Dansko shoes in the store to see if they are right for you. Dansko sandals work best when you are walking on hard, flat surfaces such as concrete. They do not work well on cobblestone or severely uneven surfaces. 

Fly London Yito

Fly London Yuta

I love the look of the Fly London sandals! I have many patients who swear by them, but they do not work for everyone. My personal experience was that I found that the forefoot was a tad too narrow for my foot. I highly recommend that you go to the store and try these on to ensure a comfortable fit. These shoes are an excellent choice for anyone with heel pain and a history of mild Achilles issues in the past. They also work well for some patients with mild Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint). The Fly London sandals have a rigid and non-flexible sole and they have the added benefit of extra-cushion within the sole for added shock absorption. 

Fit Flop Sandals 

The Fit Flop sandals are a great pick for anyone with large bunions that hurt with any pressure. When you purchase the Fit Flop sandals, make sure that you double-check that the sole is rigid and not flexible. Quality can vary greatly! If you get one that has a flexible sole (especially in the forefoot area) do not purchase it. Keep looking until you find one that offers no motion through the forefoot area. Remember that the more rigid the sole is -- the more comfortable the sandal will be and it will also last longer. The Fit Flop sandal is a good choice for anyone with Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint), Morton's Neuroma, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and painful 5th hammertoes with corns. They are not the optimal choice for anyone with severe over-pronation as there is very little arch support. 

Naturalizer Ardel Wedges

If you know that you can handle this heel height, this Naturalizer sandal should be comfortable for you. I like the wider strapping in the rearfoot and the extra cushioning in the footbed.  

Ash Fool Platform Sneaker

Okay, it's not a sandal, but it is adorable! 

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I hope that this list was helpful and, if you need more information, please refer to my other articles on this blog:

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

I'd love to hear your feedback on any of these shoes and, if you ever want to thank me for any help that I've been able to offer you - the nicest thing you could do for me is, if you enjoy detective murder mystery novels, I would love it if you would read my novel 'Gunning For Angels' and give me an honest review on Amazon. As much as I love writing this blog and helping people with their foot pain, I love writing detective murder mystery books even more. Fair warning, the book is rated-R so, if that is not your cup of tea, you can choose to thank me by sharing my blog on your social media. Or you can just kick your feet up, relax and watch a good movie. I'm enjoying one of my favorites right now - Ricky Gervais and Tea Leoni in Ghost Town. I particularly love Kristine Wiig's performance as a hospital surgeon who has to tell her patient that there was a slight glitch during his surgery - he died for seven minutes and now he can see ghosts. Fun stuff!

Thank you and have a lovely day!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Check out my latest review of the Audiobook
'Gunning For Angels'
on Audiobook Reviewer
http://audiobookreviewer.com/reviews/giveaways/gunning-angels-c-mack-lewis/#comment-1790