Podiatrist Recommended: Top Ten Comfortable Sandals...

Podiatrist Recommended
Top Ten
Women's Sports Sandals....


With summer romping at our heels, I thought it would be a great time to do a "Top Ten" list for my personal recommendations for excellent sports/casual women's sandals. Please keep in mind that there are many other wonderful sandals out there and if you know of one that you recommend but it hasn't made my list, I would love to hear from you in our "comments" section. 


As always, I will give pathology specific advice regarding each sandal since not every type of shoe is for every patient. Always remember that when you are in the store trying on the shoe, check each shoe to make sure that the sole is thick and rigid with as little bend as possible across the ball of the foot and there should be no motion across the arch area. I always check my patients shoes and you would be surprised how many times someone is unknowingly wearing a defective or "broken" shoe. 


**I have no relationship with any of these shoe companies or manufacturers.


Drum roll please...




Tenth Place: 
Keen Venice H2 
$119 

Keen's Venice H2 is a great sandal for many reasons. It has a thick, rigid protective sole with excellent added toe protection as well as excellent forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It's a great sandal to wear at the beach and even into the water or surf (amphibious sandal) - especially if their are rocks and sharp pebbles. If you have hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet) this is a good choice because it's easy to clean between uses. 

Recommended for: 

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Metatarsalgia

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

*Mild Hypermobility

*Flat Feet

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunion

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet)

*Mild Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Degenerative Joint Disease

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcers 

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease

*Foot Drop

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability 

Ninth Place:
Ecco Yucaton
$129

This is a popular shoe with many of our patients due to it's comfort, decent price and the fact that it's light weight, good looking and versatile. It has a thick and relatively rigid sole with adjustable forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It particularly works well for older patients who prefer a lighter shoe. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis 

*Mild Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Forefoot Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild Flat Feet

*Mild Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients (Diabetic Patients need an enclosed shoe that is more protective)

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease 

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Eighth Place:
Abeo Huntington Neutral 
$119

This is a very similar sandal to the Ecco Yucaton in it's build, weight and recommendations. This sandal is approved by the American Medical Podiatric Association and provides good biomechanical control of the foot and ankle. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis 

*Mild Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Tailor's Bunions

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Forefoot Capsulitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis 

*Mild Arch Pain

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild Flat Feet

*Mild Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients (Diabetic Patients need an enclosed shoe that is more protective)

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease 

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Seventh Place:
Easy Spirit Women's Heel Riser 
$60

I really like this sandal! If you like the Fit-Flop - this is much better. It has an awesome sole that is thick, rigid and light. Easy Spirit claims that the sole has "Anti-Gravity formula with nitrogen bubbles in the foot bed and dual density mid-soles." Basically, it is a beautifully light-weight sandal with good forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. It's semi-rocker bottom sole offers great shock absorption and protection for the entire foot. Every patient who has gotten this sandal - loves it!

Recommended For:

*Mild to Moderate Heel Pain

*Mild to Moderate Arch Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild to Moderate Bunions 

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Ingrown Toenails

*Mild to Moderate Tailor's Bunion

*Mild to Moderate Metatarsalgia 

*Mild to Moderate Capsulitis

*Mild to Moderate Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st Toe Joint)

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis 

*Mild Rheumatoid Arthritis 

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuroma

*Mild Hypermobility

NOT Recommended For:

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy

*Charcot Foot

*Drop-foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

Sixth Place:
Chaco Z/2 Vibram Unasweep
$95

I love the Chaco's! This is a great sandal with fabulous arch support and a thick rigid protective sole. It's great for "surf and turf" wear and works well for anyone who has problems with sweaty or smelly feet (called hyperhidrosis and bromohydrosis) because the sandal is so easy to clean. If you have painful bunions or Tailor's bunions - be careful that the straps do not cut across them which can cause more irritation and discomfort. 

Recommended For:

*Mild Heel Pain

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Arch Pain

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

*Mild Osteoarthritis

*Mild Morton's Neuroma

*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes

*Mild Metatarsalgia

*Mild Capsulitis

*Mild Flat Feet & Pronation

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

NOT Recommended For:

*Painful Plantar Fibromas (benign bumps in the arch area) 

*Diabetic Patients 

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Charcot Foot

*Drop Foot 

Fifth Place:
Bite Orthosport
$39

The best thing about this sandal is that the insole is removable and can be replaced by a custom-molded orthotic (assuming it's topcover is full-length and black so that it matches the sandal). However, the insole that comes with the sandal is very good since it is a soft material and offers good arch support. The forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot strapping is adjustable and offers excellent biomechanical control for the foot and ankle. The only issue that can occur with this sandal is that if you get a size that is too small (or if you have an abnormally long 2nd toe) - your toes may hit the front "toe guard" which can be irritating and painful. Overall, an excellent sandal - particularly if you have a custom-molded orthotic that you need to wear!

Forth Place:
Keen's Newport H2
$75

Another great Keen Sandal! This sandal offers even more biomechanical control and protection of the foot and ankle than the Venice H2. It has a thick, rigid, and protective sole as well as an excellent forefoot guard for the toes and wonderful forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot adjustable strapping. If you have a 2nd toe that is excessively long compared to the other toes, this may not work as well for you as the long toe can bump against the toe guard and cause discomfort and even toenail injury and promotion of hammertoe formation. Just be sure that your toes do not jam forward into the toe guard and you should be fine. 

Similar recommendations as the Keen Venice H2 (See above).

Third Place:
The Sketcher Shape-Up X Wear - Dash
$80

It's frustrating when I hear the bad press on Sketcher Shape-Ups! Although there are some patients who I would never put in a rocker-bottom soled shoe, the majority patients wearing this shoe will greatly benefit from it. Patients who should not wear a rocker-bottom shoe are: anyone with balance issues, anyone with Achilles Tendonitis, the elderly, anyone with nerve damage that causes muscle or leg weakness. The patients who typically do benefit from this type of shoe are: people who are on their feet for long hours on hard surfaces, most people with knee, hip, or lower back pain, and people with heel pain. 

Recommended For:

*Heel Pain

*Lower Back Pain

*Knee and Hip pain

*Mild Tendonitis

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

*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis

*Mild to Moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis

*Mild Hypermobility

*Mild to Moderate Metatarsalgia

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

*Mild Morton's Neuromas

NOT Recommended For: 

*Diabetic Patients

*Patients with a history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability 

*Muscle and Leg Weakness

*Balance Problems 

Second Place:

Taos Rockstep II

$59

This is another great rocker-bottom soled sandal. I like the extra arch support that is built into the sandal and I also like the aesthetics. 

Because this is a rocker-bottom sole sandal - the recommendations are the same as the Sketcher Shape-Up (See above).

First Place:
The MBT Katika 
$198

I own the MBT and if my lower back ever hurts, I wear the MBT walking shoe and I get instant relief. I do all my workouts on the treadmill in the MBT walking shoe and, as far as sandals go, I believe that the MBT sandals are excellent. The MBT's are a bit expensive but I recommend that my patients look at it as an investment as it may save them not just pain but also money in doctor's bills for painful feet, knees, hip and lower back. Good shoes are crucial to keeping joints healthy! So, as we get older, we can keep out joints healthy and protected so that we can stay active and do all the activities we love to do!

Recommended For:

* Heel Pain

*Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

*Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion across the 1st toe joint)

*Mild to Severe Osteoarthritis of the 1st Toe Joint or the forefoot joints (the MTPJ's)

*Mild to Moderate Morton's Neuromas

*Mild Tendonitis

*Mild Hypermobility

*Metatarsalgia

*Mild to Moderate Bunions & Hammertoes

NOT Recommended For:

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Diabetic Patients

*Patients with history of Ulcerations

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulations)

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Charcot Foot

*Severe Hypermobility

*Severe Ankle Instability

*Balance Problems

*Muscle and Leg Weakness 

I hope this helps you! 

Dr Cathleen A. McCarthy 

******

Check out my first novel written under the pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or you can download a free Kindle app and read it on your iPad or tablet. 

Thank you for your support!

http://www.amazon.com/Gunning-For-Angels-Mack-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00I84NSE0

Sock Monkeys...

Okay, this is way off the beaten track from discussing shoes but one of our very talented patients, 
Angie Eshelman, hand crafts these adorable Sock Monkeys and I had to share it with you...


Enjoy

Hawaiian Shirt Sock Monkeys 

Polka Sock Monkey

Poodle Skirt Sock Monkeys

School-Girl Sock Monkey

Elvis & Priscilla Sock Monkeys 

I hope that put a smile on your face - I know it did mine! 

:)

Dr Cathleen A McCarthy 

Comfortable Dress Shoes - what to look for...

A general overview of what you're looking for in a comfortable dress shoe...

1. You need a thick rigid sole to limit motion across the forefoot and midfoot.

2. Depending on your foot type, you can wear heels - the trick is to wear a wedge heel so that there is no motion across the bottom of the foot. If you have a condition called Hallux Limitus (meaning limited range of motion across the big toe joint) you will be limited on the heel height or  you may not be able to tolerate a heel at all. 

3. No pointy toes!! Look for a dress shoe with a square-toe box because the "cockroach killer" pointy-toe shoe's are a little bunion factories. If you have more serious forefoot problems like bunions and hammertoes, you can get shoes that have an "extra-depth toe-box" or has a soft, stretchable material across the forefoot area. 

4. Very important - try to get a dress shoe that gives you some form of rearfoot control - whether it be with a strap or an enclosed heel. If you are not biomechanically controlling the rearfoot - you are forcing your tendons, muscles, joints as well as your knee, hips and lower back to work harder to stabilize your feet.  

5. Arch control. Sometimes this is hard to find in dress shoes but they are out there. If the dress shoe has a removable insole, you can often put in a over-the-counter or custom-molded insert. Sometimes the dress shoe already has arch support in the shoe. 

Special Note: It is a common fallacy to think that your foot needs freedom and motion. Your foot actually needs rigid biomechanical control. If you are walking barefoot or wearing flip-flops or a flexible/flimsy shoe - you will have more motion across your joints, which will cause more inflammation, pain, wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease) that will not only put you at risk for foot problems but also knee, hip, and lower back pain. 

Remember, no matter what the shoe, this is what most patients will benefit from a dress shoe with:

1. Thick, rigid sole.

2. Firm arch support.

3. Wide toe-box.

4. Rearfoot control (strap or enclosed back).  

There are always some exceptions to the rules. For instance, older patients or patients with certain neurological diseases need to have a lighter shoe. Also, Dansko shoes, which are excellent for people who have to work on hard surfaces for long hours, typically do not work as well for patients who have "bumps" on their feet such as bunions, Tailor's bunions and extremely high arches. 

I hope this is helpful! 

I would love to hear any thoughts, feedback or comments...

Sincerely,

Dr Cathleen A McCarthy 

Top 20 Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes - Podiatrist Reecommended

Top 20 Comfortable Women's Shoes! 


I can't tell you how happy and proud I am to finally have my first top twenty women's dress shoe list! These are not in any particular order - just my top 20 picks. I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear any feedback or comments.


**A word of caution! If you have what is called Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus (limited motion at the big toe joint), osteoarthritis of the 1st toe joint, forefoot problems or hypermobility (ligament laxity) - the higher heels will not work for you. I recommend that if this is the case, you need to go for the lower heeled shoes or flat dress shoes.
Just remember - it ain't the shoe that makes you, it's the attitude that you bring!

John Fluevog's Hi Together / Benatar 

$269

I own this shoe and I adore this shoe! Although it was pricey, it was one of the best shoe investments I've ever made. For more specific information, please see my review on John Fluevog shoe's on this blog. 

Tsubo Acrea

$110

I also own this shoe and by some freak of nature I purchased it at Ross for $12! How that happened I don't know but I can wear this shoe all day long in complete comfort. It will not accommodate a dress orthotic but I found I did not need one with this shoe. 

Tsubo Lagella 

$140

I don't own this shoe but it is on my wish list! Stylish and very comfortable. Don't consider this shoe if you have pain and limited range of motion at the first toe joint. 

Taryn Rose Flavor Slingback 

$95

Thank you Taryn Rose! She designed a gorgeous dressy shoe that is also comfortable. Not for patients with pain at the first toe joint. 

Jambu Sweden 

$99

This is a super comfortable shoe that many of my patients love! It works wonderfully for anyone with plantar fascitiis (heel pain), metatarsalgia, tendonitis, and mild to moderate forefoot problems. It's great for wearing all day on concrete surfaces. 

FLY London Yaz Wedge Pump

$140

What's not to love? It's a funky cool, wear all day long shoe that will work for just about any foot type. If bunions are a problem, this is an easy shoe to take to a cobbler and have them stretch the area over the bunion for even more comfort. If bunions are an issue, consider a dress orthotic with this shoe as arch control will help prevent the progression of the bunion. 

Dansko Tori Pump

$85

I don't think it's possible to have a "best of" list without featuring a Dansko shoe! This is a great dress shoe with a rigid protective sole, decently wide forefoot are and good midfoot and rearfoot control. In my experience, Dansko shoes do not work for women who:

*Have wide feet

*Have any excessive or prominent "bumps" on their feet

*Moderate to Severe Bunions

Except for the above named situation, a great dress shoe!

Tusbo Asmik 

$120

Roses are red, violets are blue, Tsubo, I love you...

Really, I love this shoe. Anyone who works all day on hard surfaces (take note teachers!) will love this shoe. It is extremely protective and comfortable as well as stylish. This shoe will work for women with mild to moderate Hallux Limitus (limited motion at the 1st toe joint), metatarsalgia, plantar fascitiis (heel pain), Achilles Tendonitis, mild to moderate tendonitis, mild bunions and hammertoes and mild to moderate forefoot problems such as capsulitis. This shoe will not work for patients with moderate to severe Morton's Neuroma's, bunions or hammertoes as they will need a wider toebox. 

Jambu Allure Mary Jane Pumps

$78

All of the Jambu shoes are great but I particularly like this one as it also has the rigid protective sole and a wide, soft toebox. 

FLY London's Yakin Slingback Slingback

$170

Lovely shoe! This shoe will work well for women with metatarsalgia, mild plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and mild bunions and hammertoes. 

Alegria Feliz 

$99

This shoe is excellent and will work wonderfully for women who suffer with 80% of foot pathologies including: bunions, hammertoes, Tailor's bunions, Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain), osteoarthritis, Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint), Morton's Neuroma's, metatarsalgia, painful toes, tired leg syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, capsulitis, and Tendonitis. This shoe may not work as well for patients with Achilles Tendonitis as they need a slightly higher heel to relieve the tension on the Achilles.  

John Fluevog Prepare Guide

$285

Expensive, yes. Comfortable, very. Once again, John Fluevog's shoes are exceptionally comfortable and make with the highest quality of workmanship. This shoe is going to work for almost every foot problem someone might suffer with including metatarsalgia, heel pain, tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis and mild to moderate bunions, hammertoes and Tailor's bunions. 

Earthies Monaco

$149

This shoe is casually elegant and comfortable enough to wear all day. I particularly like the rigid sole covered with the soft insole. 

Taryn Rose Gussy Platform 

$40 - $130

This is a lovely shoe that works well for women who can wear a higher heel. The fabric is slightly stretchy and soft which puts less pressure on bunions. If you have any pain or limited motion across the first toe joint, this is not the shoe for you. 

J-41 Hybrid Wedge 

$85

This shoe is great for anyone suffering with heel pain, metatarsalgia, Achilles Tendonitis, mild to moderate bunions and hammertoes and mild Morton's Neuroma's. This shoe will work well for any patients who work on hard surfaces for long hours. 

Sanita Ninka Adjustable Strap Sandal 

$120

Although this is more a sandal, I am including it because, well, I do live in Arizona and this would look nice with a summer dress. I love the color and it is uber-comfortable. 

Earthie Veria 

$128

I confess, I'm pushing it a bit on this one! It could have better rearfoot control but I'm putting it in my list because it meets all other criteria for what constitutes a good dress shoe. Plus, it's pretty...

This is not a good shoe for you if you have moderate to severe rearfoot problems such as ankle osteoarthritis or any ankle or knee instability. If this is the case, you need more rearfoot control!

Tsubo Ina Pump 

$50

Love the shoe, love the price. All roads lead back to Tsubo. This is one shoe company that has it right - combining comfort with asthetics. Me like. 

Crocs Farrah Wedge Sandal

$20-$50

I have to save some love for the Croc Wedge Sandal! This is comfortable - it's actually quite amazing how comfortable plastic can be. Don't knock it till you try it...

Wolky Cloggy

$159

For the final shoe, I wanted to pick something that would work for virtually anyone! This is a great shoe, extremely comfortable and well made. If your feet hurt, this is almost a sure bet! 

In conclusion, 

there are a few things to remember...

If your feet hurt and no matter what shoe you try doesn't work and your feet are still killing you - you need to see a Podiatrist! 

You may be walking around on stress fractures which usually presents itself as a dull, constant ache that gets worse with more walking and hurts most at the end of the day. I see this situation every day! 

Also, if you are diabetic or have nerve damage (neuropathy) or have Charcot foot - you need to be extremely careful about what type of shoes you wear. If this is the case, please consult your Podiatrist. 

I hope this list was helpful! 

Sincerely,

Dr Cathleen A. McCarthy 

*******

Check out my first novel, which was written under my pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or you can download a free Kindle app and read it on your iPad. 

Thank you so much for your support!

http://www.amazon.com/Gunning-For-Angels-Mack-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00I84NSE0