Podiatry Shoe Review: October 2020

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Podiatrist Recommended Converse - the Run Star Hike!

Podiatrist Recommended

Comfortable Converse -

Run Star Hike.

These Run Star Hike Converse shoe options are super cute and far more comfortable than the classic Converse that has flimsy soles.

They each meet three of the four criteria that shoes must possess to be comfortable, which are:

1. A thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole. This is actually the most important of the four criteria because a rigid sole that stops motion through painful or compromised joints means that you will have less inflammation, less pain, and joint damage.

2. A wide toe box, so that there is less pressure on the toes, which means it will stop or slow the progression of hammertoes, bunions, ingrown toenails, corns, and even toenail fungus.

3. Rearfoot control allows for more biomechanical control of the foot and ankle, which means that there will be less strain on your knees, hips, and lower back.

4. These Converse can accommodate a dress orthotic or a thin over-the-counter insert, which will provide more arch support.

These Converse are recommended for people with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

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

*Functional Hallux Limitus

*Hallux Rigidus (no range of motion of the 1st toe joint or a surgically fused 1st toe joint)

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Hypermobility

*Over-Pronation

*Mild

*Metatarsalgia

*Capsulitis

*Mild Ankle Instability

These Converse are not recommended for people with:

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*History of Ulceration

*Charcot Foot

*Morton's Neuroma

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Drop Foot

For more information, check out my article:

"Top 10 reasons why your feet hurt -- and how to alleviate the pain today!"

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/search?q=my+feet+hurt

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Podiatrist Recommended Fashion Boots for Winter 2021!

Top 20 Podiatrist Recommended

Women's Boots

Fall 2020 & Winter 2021

It's been a tough year! In honor of making our lives more pleasant and pain-free, I've prepared a top 20 comfortable boot list that I hope proves helpful to you. My personal choice for a winter fashion boot is the Mephisto Hazelina, which I purchased from the fantastic Mephisto store on East Shea Boulevard where they have impeccable customer service and an amazing collection of comfortable and fashionable shoes. Mephisto shoes are expensive, but I consider them an investment in my health and well-being.

When shopping for a comfortable boot, the most important aspect is to find a boot that has a thick, rigid, and non-flexible sole. It's counterintuitive, but 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. A thick, rigid, and nonflexible sole will also 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 will also decrease strain on the knees, hips, and lower back. You should also avoid any boots with a tapered and narrow toe box as they can cause bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and corns. A dress orthotic should fit nicely into most of these boots, which will help to slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, prevent heel pain, and help with people who have over-pronation and hypermobility.

I recommend that you shop for shoes after lunchtime when there is more swelling in your feet and ankles. I don't necessarily recommend this for everyone, but I purchase all my shoes one whole size up as I cannot tolerate any pressure on my toes. Don't be afraid to try the next size or width up to see how they feel. Always remember, it's better to have a shoe a little too big than too tight.