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a note about shoes

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Posted 5/24/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Worried girl's post about neuropathy reminded me about what I learned about shoe sizes a couple of years ago.  I was looking for walking shoes, the kind I always called "tennis shoes" and there are so many of them by Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc.  The stores have them sorted by sports, of course, and then there are the running shoes and 'walking' shoes.  I went to a sports shoe store because I honestly felt clueless (after my daughter told me I should be careful choosing the 'right' shoe).  Anyway.... yes, the nice young, fit, athletic-looking, saleslady asked me what I wanted the shoes for and this narrowed my choice to two, a Nike and something else.  (I have to give her credit because I think she would have believed me if I told her I was going to play soccer, this 63 year old, haha.)  She took her job seriously and for that I was grateful.  She measured my foot even though I told her I wore a 7 or 7.5 depending on the shoe.  I measured to a 7.5 on that shoe thing, so she brought out two boxes size 8.5.  confused   

She said when buying these kinds of shoes we should buy a size larger than what we measure for a couple of reasons.  We will be wearing proper socks which are thick and our feet may swell.  (And NO cotton socks.  They don't wick.)  She said many people just try a shoe on and if it fits, they buy it only to find out it's too snug.  This may result in losing a toenail if you are in a race (even walking, not running) and your toes repeatedly jam up against the front of the shoe.

So, if you're buying new tennis shoes, be aware of this.  If you wear work shoes, you might keep this in mind too.  The older I get I'm finding the less I know.

Posted 5/24/2012 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, Lanie. I've gone up one full size in shoes in the past year, just to be sure my toes aren't constricted. And I make sure the toe box has plenty of room - no pointy toes for me. In fact, I wear running shoes all the time, unless I'm wearing a well-constructed sandal. My only pair of dress shoes has a mid-heel and a peep toe.

I sort of loved having an excuse for the last few years I worked to not wear uncomfortable shoes to work!
Posted 5/24/2012 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Oh do I know what you mean, Judy.  I got used to wearing stupid 'pretty' shoes for many years while I was teaching until I realized how dumb that was.  No more pointy shoes for me either.
Posted 5/25/2012 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
With my podiatrists blessing, I wear Birkenstocks, all the time. Pricey, yes. Pretty, no. Comfy? Can't be beat.
Posted 5/25/2012 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
On the flip side of this is that you also do not want shoes that are too big and that can cause your foot to slip inside the shoe which can promote foot ulcers which often start out as blisters or even callouses.

While proper shoe fitting is important for everyone it is critical for diabetics. I myself have started going to real shoe stores to buy my shoes and I also insist on being fitted from scratch every time. I also have my podiatrist measure my feet once a year and we talk about shoes and what I need to look for in support, fit, etc.

There is so much to consider when buying shoes. You have to think about size, width, depth of the shoe well, placement and type of arch support, and so much more.
Posted 6/2/2012 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
I got new shoes a while back as recommended by a therapist. She took a look at the old shoes and practically wanted to throw them into the trash bin right away. Anyways, the problem with my feet is that they are a bit short but wide. So, no pointy shoes of any kind would fit.

My therapist taught me a few things about how the shoe should have a strong base that bends at the right place. Strong in such a way that you can't roll it, but it shouldn't be as stiff as a block of wood either. Since teens I've always worn few sizes bigger shoes than what my foot actually is, but my feet are so small that I would either need to look at the kids section or be lucky and find the last available smallest shoe the store offered..

I dare to say, I don't have lower leg pains or shin splints anymore and that's thanks to the new shoes. I bought working shoes and winter shoes. Sadly, most of the shoes I tried didn't meet my new requirements and I found several stores that only offered thin and bendy shoes with no support. :p
Posted 6/2/2012 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
This is why those flip flops that kids and teenagers wear aren't good or even safe for the feet.  I even have a pair although they are not thin; they're rather thick soled but I only wear them when I'm home, in the yard, etc.  They can be washed in the sink.

I'm glad you don't have those leg pains anymore, Chaul.

Posted 6/17/2012 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I can wear one shoe. They are made in San Antonia by sass anv and are hank made. One is a shoee with 3 adjustable straps. There othar is not had 2 wide strapys, adjusteble. Velcro holds thestraps. Borth have same thixk soles. I have so many pair of beautiful shows. I haave fun when dressin up with pretty shoes when Im in my wheelcare with the fool resats are up. I tre to hace faith thet i will be curedd of all this mess. ONE daye at a time.

To all youdads, Happy fathers day!
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