I have been working a shedding a few lbs and have started going on long walks in the evenings (average about 3.5 - 4 miles a night). The city I live in is all hills… and the local park has gravel trails. I get the usual hip grinding about 1/2 way through the walk…not too painful but persistent. At about the 3/4 way mark my toes become extremely painful and by the time I get home i am limping. When I take off my shoes and socks they are bright red and swollen and feels like someone is sticking them with hot pins. I’m hoping this is something that can be helped with some proper footwear.
I am barefoot 90% of the day (I work from home). Absolutely hate socks (always have). I can’t have anything tight or stiff on top of my foot because it irritates the tendons and get extremely painful fairly quickly. My saving grace of footwear have been my trusty berkinstock sandals and when it gets too cold for those I flip over to ugg style boots.
I’ve tried to do my walks in my uggs but the I flamed toes are the results. I have bought several pairs of sneakers but find the toe area too narrow or the lace up part too stiff. I don’t have wide feet (my berks are a 40 narrow) but need to have from for my toes to move.
Does anyone else have this problem? Has anyone found a miracle shoe?
Perfection for me would be Berkenstock to make a sneaker!
Sorry you're having such a hard time. I went through "foot" issues 2 years ago. With tendonitis and swelling, it's just hard to find a comfortable fit. Then I had nail problems that required podiatry treatment, etc. etc. etc. What I did find that helped tremendously was a walking shoe made by "Drew". I ended up getting a larger width for extra room and I spent the whole summer in them. I bought them online through "Footsmart". They were a bit pricey, but worth every penny since they were roomier, especially across the top of the foot and they make them to fit orthotics/inserts. I hope this helps and I hope you find relief soon!
Thank you CiCi! I’ll take a look. Most of the “arthritis” friendly shoes here locally look suitable for older people but not really something I would choose. Today I wore my oldest daughters Nike shox… They are a size too big but I think I might give them a try on my walk tonight. I wore them shopping today…she insisted I try them and swears by them (she is a nursing student and on her feet all day at the hospital). I noticed they felt heavy and my feet got really hot… But my toes didn’t hurt (mind you I was just running some errands not huffing along for an intense walk). I’m going to check out the local sports store and see what they have too. Maybe I just have to go up a size to keep things from touching my toes.
CiCi said:
Hi Roni,
Sorry you’re having such a hard time. I went through “foot” issues 2 years ago. With tendonitis and swelling, it’s just hard to find a comfortable fit. Then I had nail problems that required podiatry treatment, etc. etc. etc. What I did find that helped tremendously was a walking shoe made by “Drew”. I ended up getting a larger width for extra room and I spent the whole summer in them. I bought them online through “Footsmart”. They were a bit pricey, but worth every penny since they were roomier, especially across the top of the foot and they make them to fit orthotics/inserts. I hope this helps and I hope you find relief soon!
I wear a Merrill brand shoe which is supportive but has good cushioning. I also have orthotic inserts recommended by a Podiatrist. These shoes, a pair of walking boots like the Merrills and a pair of supportive sandals are all I can tolerate. Despite currently having Humira work well for me I still have chronic footpain but I can walk a reasonable distance again which is great. I rub Voltaren Osteo Gel (anti inflammatory gel) which also helps reduce the pain while walking and the after effects. No miracles though!
I have some voltaren gel here…never thought of trying it on my feet but I will try that tonight before I go! Great suggestion =)
I think I may ask my doctor for a referral to a podiatrist to see if that will help. I don’t generally have a lot of foot pain, sometimes puffy, hot and sore but I find the icey pain relief rubs help. As soon as I have to wear shoes I have foot pain! They just always seem to press in the wrong places and the tendons get aggravated so easily. The toes are a new problem but I don’t normally do a lot of walking. I just hope I don’t have to learn to live with this too!!
I’ll keep the Merrill brand in mind while I’m hunting.
Allan said:
I wear a Merrill brand shoe which is supportive but has good cushioning. I also have orthotic inserts recommended by a Podiatrist. These shoes, a pair of walking boots like the Merrills and a pair of supportive sandals are all I can tolerate. Despite currently having Humira work well for me I still have chronic footpain but I can walk a reasonable distance again which is great. I rub Voltaren Osteo Gel (anti inflammatory gel) which also helps reduce the pain while walking and the after effects. No miracles though!
I also find professionally made orthotic inserts to be a great help. I have had good success with Easy Spirit athletic shoes. They come in different levels (1,2, and 3), with level 3 being the one they recommend for most intense activity. Most times you can pick up Easy Spirits in the $40-50 range if you catch them on sale. But for a quick fix, I love my fuzzy-lined Crocs. They ain't pretty, but they do have a cushiony feel to the foot bed, have great arch support and a huge toe box. Saw them at TJ Maxx last week for $29. And, when I am having bad swelling, I can always depend on being able to get them on!