Comfortable Women's Sandal - The Wolky "Tulip" Sandal.

THE WOLKY "TULIP" SANDAL.

This is a fabulous sandal!! My patients who have gotten them have said that this is the most comfortable sandal they've ever worn. They cost more but consider them an investment in your feet, knees, hips and lower back.

What makes this sandal special:

*It has a thick rigid sole with an insole made of cork and memory foam so it is thick and protective but also soft, conforming and very comfortable.

*The straps are adjustable so this works well for patients with mild to moderate swelling.

*It is made out of environmentally friendly materials (no chrome or vegetable extracts) which is great for patients with skin/environmental allergies.

*It's approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

This sandal is great for patients with:

Hallus Limitus (limited range of motion at the first toe joint).

Mild Bunions.

Mild, Moderate and Severe Hammertoes.

Mild to moderate Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Heel Pain.

Mild Tendonitis.

Tired Legs.

This sandal is not recommended for:

Diabetic Patients.

Neuropathic Patients (Nerve Damage).

Charcot Foot.

Severe Degenerative Joint Disease (These patients will need an enclosed shoe for more protection and biomechanical control.

This sandal can be found at Arizona Walk Shop in Mesa, Arizona. I know this is a bit of a drive for my patients but their wide selection and excellent customer service will make it well worth the trip.

Cost: $160

Arizona Walk Shop

1306 E. Main Street (on Main & Stapley in Mesa)

Mesa, AZ 85203

480-461-1940

www.footsmart.com

Here's a fabulous site for comfortable shoes and specialty foot products.

Not all of their shoes are great but 80% of them are excellent.

Remember, if you purchase a sandal, you are looking for a shoe with rigid sole, arch support, forefoot and midfoot control and, very important, you need a rearfoot strap!! The rearfoot strap is important because the more you can biomechanically control the rearfoot - the less strain there will be for the ankle, knee, hip and lower back and you will decrease the chance of developing plantar fasciitis (heel pain), ankle sprains and injuries.

www.footsmart.com

Croc Heels at Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale...

YOU by crocs...

This is a smart and stylish heel by Crocs! I found this at the Crocs Store in Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale (on the Northeast Corner of Camelback & Scottsdale Rd)

I like it because it has the rigid sole as well as the important forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping for more biomechanical control.

This shoe should work nicely (for limited periods of time) for patients with:

*mild to moderate bunions

*heel pain

*mild to moderate hammertoes

*midfoot exostosis (bone spur on the top of the midfoot area)

This shoe is not recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (limited motion at the first toe joint)

*Degenerative Joint Disease

*Diabetics

*Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Elderly patients or anyone with balance issues

Gosh darn it! Forgot to get the price...

Sorry!

Dr Cathy McCarthy

The Natural Soft Baxman.

THE NATURAL SOFT BAXMAN.

I like this shoe!

It's got a lot going for it - including a rigid sole, forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control PLUS it's cute!

Depending on where your bunions falls, it should work well for mild to moderate bunions, hammertoes, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, heel pain and Achilles Tendonitis. As long as the strap does not rub on the bunion - it should be suitable.

It's not as suitable for patients with Diabetes, Neuropathy, moderate to severe Hallus Limitus/Rigidus (limited range of motion of the 1st Toe Joint), and patients who suffer with severe pain. There's no real arch support but the rigid-sole helps to biomechanically control the foot and to prevent injury, wear and tear and help decrease pain.

I found this shoe at Famous Footwear at Paradise Valley Mall and, since it was the grand opening, they had a drawing for a shoe shopping spree - within one minute, one lucky person could run between a starting line and grab as many shoes as possible for free. The girl who won managed to get three pairs of shoes and I was reminded of the quote from the movie "Zombie-Land" as the girl ran as fast as she could grabbing shoes: "It's all about the Cardio!"

:)

Casual Dress Shoes at Famous Footwear...

The LifeStride Millie & EuroStep Ramona.

These aren't the best dress shoes ever but they are an excellent example of a decent casual dress shoe that will work for most patients with mild foot problems who need a dress shoe.

What's Good:

*The semi-rigid sole.

*Low heel height.

*The straps which provide forefoot, midfoot and some rearfoot control.

What's Lacking:

*Arch Support.

Recommended for Patients with:

*Mild Bunions and hammertoes

*Mild heel pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Hallus Limitus (decreased range of motion at the 1st Toe Joint)

NOT Recommended for Patients with:

*Diabetes

*Neuropathy

*Chronic Pain (not supportive enough)

* Moderate to Severe bunions & Hammertoes

*Hallus Rigidus (No motion at the 1st Toe Joint due to osteoarthritis or genetics)

*Moderate to Severe pain in the foot of any kind (Get an evaluation and treatment from a Podiatrist!)

Hope all is well!

Dr. McCarthy

Dress Shoe For Ladies with Bunions...

WHAT'S WHAT PLUSHIOUS

I found this shoe at FAMOUS FOOTWEAR at Paradise Valley Mall.

This shoe would make a nice casual dress shoe for ladies with painful bunions that hurt with pressure from shoes.

What makes this shoe good:

* Rigid-Sole with cushioned insole.

* Straps that give some forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control.

* The front of the shoe offers some natural "roll" during the gait cycle.

This shoe will work for patients who need a dress shoe for special occasions and limited wear who have:

*Bunions (may not work for every patient with bunions - it depends on where each individual person's bunions is and the severity of the bunion).

*Depending on where the midstrap falls, it MAY work for patients with painful bumps (Exostosis) on the top of their midfoot

*Heel pain (Mild)

*Achilles Tendonitis (Mild)

This shoe is NOT recommended for:

*Extended walking/activities - especially on uneven surfaces.

*Hallus Limitus/Rigidus - patients with limited range of motion or degenerative joint disease across the 1st Toe Joint.

*Severe Hypermobility/Ligament Laxity.

*Neuropathy.

*Diabetic Patients.

Cost: $49.99

Adios!

RYKA REFORM - Great Walking Shoe For Women with Bunions...

THE RYKA REFORM -

Part of the RipaRyka line which can be found at the FIISH LINE located at Paradise Valley Mall.

This is a great walking shoe for women who have painful bunions that hurt with pressure from shoes. It has a Rocker Bottom Sole which will limit motion and pressure across the forefoot/bunion area. The thing that makes this shoe perfect is that the forefoot area has a comfortable, soft mesh over the bunions area that will decrease pressure. Another key to wearing this shoe is that women with bunions do need to wear firm arch support whether it's from a Custom-Molded Insert or an Other-The-Counter Insert. One of the key causes of bunions (besides genetics!) is a collapsing or hypermobile arch. This shoe with a proper insert will help prevent the progression of the bunions deformity and it should be very comfortable.

Cost: $110

This shoe is also excellent for people with:

Bunions

Degenerative Joint Disease

Hammertoes

Hallux Limitus/ Rigidus (Limited Range Of Motion of the 1st Toe Joint)

Corns and Calluses

Heel Pain

Tendonitis

Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain (in most patients)

Chronic Pain Patients

This shoe may not be appropriate for patients with:

Balance Problems

Ankle Instability/Hypermobility

Achilles Tendonitis

Neuropathic Patients (Nerve Damage)

Elderly Patients

Have a Great Day!