Comfortable Casual Ankle Boots for Autumn - Podiatry Recommended

FitFlop Loaff Boots

Podiatry Recommended Comfort Boots

FitFlop makes some very comfortable sandals and many people don't realize that they have a collection of excellent boots. This is one of the cuter FitFlop boots and what makes it so comfortable is that it has a thick sole that doesn't bend or flex, which means that there is less motion through areas of painful joints or previously injured areas of the foot and toes. The boot also has a wide, soft toebox as well as great rearfoot and ankle control. This boot should accommodate a custom-molded orthotics, particularly a dress orthotic, which will allow for better arch support. Due to the extra ankle control, this boot should be a great choice for anyone with hypermobility, ligament laxity, flat feet, weak ankles and a history of ankle instability and sprains. 

This boot is recommended for patients with:

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

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

*Mild to Moderate Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunions

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Metatarsalgia

*Osteoarthritis

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Peroneal Tendonitis 

*Mild PT Tendonitis (wear arch support with the boot)

*Recovered from a previous Lisfranc's Injury 

*Ankle Instability

*Hypermobility / Ligament Laxity

*Over-Pronation (wear an orthotic in the boot)

*Chronic Ankle Sprains

This boot is not recommended for patients with: 

*Charcot Foot

*History of diabetic amputations

*History of diabetic ulcerations 

If you have these conditions, you will need to clear this shoe with your podiatrist to see if it is appropriate for you:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation) 

*Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you are not sure if this boot is right for your foot type and/or foot pathology, check with your podiatrist. 

It's best to go shopping for shoes after 2pm when your feet are a little bit more swollen and ask the salesperson to measure your foot to make sure you are in the correct size. I find that most people are in the wrong shoe. Even if you are in the "right" size, if the shoe feels too tight, try on a larger size. It's always better to be in a shoe that is slightly larger than to be wearing a shoe that is too tight. Tight shoes can cause everything from blisters and corns as well as microtrauma to toenails, which is one of the main causes of fungal infections in the toenails. In fact, if you are trying to clear up fungal toenails, you will not be able to get them cleared of fungus until you are wearing proper-fitting shoes that allow no microtrauma to the toenails. When a toenail is injured, even from microtrauma from tight shoes or pointy-toed shoes, it causes the toenail to become injured and loose, which gives the fungal spores the perfect opportunity to get into the nail and cause an infection. For more information on how to clear up fungal toenail - go to the search box and type in 'toenail fungus' for an article on seven things you have to do to clear up toenail fungus. 

For added comfort during the day, if you have varicose veins, try wearing 15 mmHG knee high compression hose, which you can usually purchase over the counter at some pharmacies or online. For anyone who lives in Scottsdale - the CVS on the NE corner of Scottsdale and Shea has a lady works there that will help make sure you get the proper sizing on the compression hose. She is located in the back right-hand corner of the store.  

For more articles on foot pain and proper shoes, please refer to my 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 Injuries (as well as any sprains of the ankle or the foot)

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

Have a wonderful day,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)