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

:)

Four Comfortable Sandals for Summer 2015 - Podiatrist Recommended.

Four Comfortable Sandals For Summer 2015

Podiatrist Recommended

Wolky Jewel

Wolky Ruby

Wolky Lily

Aravon Katy

These are four great choices for a comfortable sandal. Each of these sandals meet the four criteria that a shoe must have to be comfortable: 

1. A thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, which is protective of the foot joints and any areas of injury, pain or previous surgery. Less motion means less pain, inflammation and swelling - especially through any problematic or painful areas of the foot. 

2. A wide toebox, which decreases pressure on the toes and helps to prevent the formation of bunions, hammertoes, corns and Tailor's bunions. Each of these sandals have adjustable strapping, which help to accommodate swelling.  

3. Rearfoot control, which helps to decrease mechanical strain of tendons, joints and muscles. If a shoe does not have rearfoot strapping, then you are forcing your tendons, joints and ligaments to work harder to stay in the shoe. Rearfoot strapping also helps decrease mechanical strain on the knees, hips and lower back as well as prevent injuries and risk of falling.  

4. Arch support. Each of these sandals has decent arch support. If you have severe flat-feet, it is possible to remove the insole on the Wolky Jewel and Ruby and replace it with your custom-molded orthotic. Although it has been my experience that sandals work better with the insert that comes with the shoe, so take your orthotics with you when shopping for these sandals to see if it works for you. 

These four sandals are recommended for patients with:

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Corns & Calluses

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunions

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

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

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Plate Injuries

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuromas

*Previous Jone's Fractures or Lisfranc's Injuries (check with your podiatrist)

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Tendonitis

*Plantar Fibromas 

*Mild to Moderate Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity

*Previous Metatarsal Stress Fractures (check with your podiatrist)

*Sesamoiditis

*Ingrown toenails

These sandals are not recommended for patient with:

*Charcot Foot

*History of Foot Ulcerations

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation) 

If you have any questions about if these sandals are appropriate for you, please check with your podiatrist. I encourage patients to bring in one bag of shoes on our appointments so that I can physically check the shoe and have a discussion about whether or not the shoe is appropriate for their particular foot type and issue. 

For more information, please use the search box to look up these two articles:

"My feet hurt: top ten 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

:)

Pulp Hack Confessions: A Tough but Funny Novel about Money, Murder -- and...

Pulp Hack Confessions: A Tough but Funny Novel about Money, Murder -- and...: Gunning for Angels (The Fallen Angels series) By C. Mack Lewis 382 pages (Cathleen A McCarthy; First edition July 29, 2014) ISB...


I simply have to share the first independent review of my detective novel!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy (published under: C. Mack Lewis)