SAS

Merrills, Clark, Born, BOJ.

Can you explain why the shoes must be stiff? I am trying to rationalize why a stiff soled shoe is a good thing since it in no way replicates the natural way a foot moves.

And just curious why you don’t want to go through the surgery if it isn’t too complicated to help the arthritis?

Wolky (not all, but the thicker soled models - I just looked at them and some have memory foam soles, so not those). Birkenstocks are good, too, but not the most attractive in many people's eyes!

Outside, I thought that too. But then I remembered when I had a hairline fracture on my foot. I wore the boot and it kept my foot immobile and it didn't hurt as much. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wear it too long. I was in pain, but I dealt with it. So glad to not wear that boot all summer.

In Norar's case, I think it would work the same. The toe will stay straight rather that bend as she walks. A cradle effect.

It limits the movement of the joint which has the arthritis. Using a splint on the joint is sometimes an option but difficult to get shoes on with on on. Check sites for orthopedic shoes.

but difficult to get shoes on with

my Alegria slide ons have adjustable straps across the toe area - with Velcro. so they're adjustable even if your feet are different or one is sore or swollen etc.

the soles aren't hard hard… they're thicker than I normally wear, but solid. your feet / body don't feel the hardness of concrete or tile floors.

I had an orthopedist tell me the same thing once. It puzzled me. I just wear athletic walking shoes. I don’t know if they would be considered stiff.

norat, I think you have to try shoes and find what works for you, whuch shoe doesn’t aggravate your toe. I’m not a doctor.

FWIW, where I live, there are a number of stores that specialize in orthopedic and 'special needs' footwear. My mom shops at a couple of them for her shoes.

I often use Google Maps to find businesses in my area.

http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/shoes-for-arthritis/

Good info.

Also look at the drcomfort website.

https://www.drcomfort.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6MHdBRCtARIsAEigMxH9iqg_IR1BO1oCZc2AIVi9634zS8zls5ojL0oFvbXTv5fP766D8ZMaAnIdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

They have a sale on.

I personally own several pair of spenco shoes, recommended by my ortho Dr. I really like them.

I have these they are nice and firm and on sale

https://www.spencofootwear.com/product.aspx?prodid=535&catid=53

I also have a pair of the slip on sandals I wear them all the time in the house.

This was discussed on the Home Dec Conversations board some time ago. Let me see if i can find it.

SO, here is a conversation from 2015. But i believe there have been ones since then.

[2015 stiff soled shoes[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/stiff-soled-shoes-dsvw-vd~3410924?n=51)

I recall that more recent conversation as well, graywings. I thought it was either earlier this year, or last year, maybe...?

Ah - I see now that likely is the same thread, it was brought back up and commented on early this year.

Norar, I almost live in Dansko, both the closed and open back clogs. With pants, jeans, long skirts too. I don't have foot issues, but without an orthopedically correct shoe if I'm walking too far my back will hurt. A lot.

When I have the need to dress up a little more which isn't often, I have two pairs Paul Green (a short boot and a pump) - and for what they cost they'd better stay in style and last a life time. Another two pair of Taryn Rose (she is an orthopedist turned shoe designer). I have some mephisto open toe wedge sandals too that I can wear all day into the evening but those won't be appropriate now for another 6 months, unless wet toes my goal ;0)

Eld nailed it. The toe hurts when trying to bend it upward which is the natural movement when walking. The cartilage is gone and there are bone spurs on both sides of the joint, so there is a lot of sharp pain when walking. The stiff soles keep the toe from bending -- as much at least. He listed some athletic shoe companies which would work, but I really don't want to wear that type of shoe all the time. And even though I am an old lady, I really don't want to wear old lady shoes,

The surgery consists of removing the joint and a bit of toe bone. The first guy didn't explain it well (and didn't suggest any alternatives), so I went to another podiatrist. His surgery is the same, but at least he explained -- the bone is not reconnected, leaving the big toe only held on by tissue -- muscle, tendons and scar tissue. That sounds gross to me! But no joint, no pain in the joint and the toe can bend with pressure. Another surgery is replacing the joint or removing the joint and fusing the bones together. That he does not recommend as recovery is long. I'll probably end up with the floppy toe surgery eventually as my toe doesn't hurt all the time.

Thanks for all the ideas. Looks as if I need to hit some shoe stores. Right now I'm going to read that other thread.

It's just me but I wouldn't suffer a moment longer knowing relief was available through relatively minor surgery. If the floppy toe surgery takes away your pain and adds to the quality of your life why wait for "eventually".

I don't know how old an old lady you are but why wait and find you are too old for the surgery at some point?

You don't want to wear athletic shoes, you don't want to wear old lady shoes. The solution lies in having the surgery.

There is a newer solution approved by the FDA you may want to look into. It's an implant that acts as a shock absorber. Here is a link.

https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/small-implant-relieves-big-toe-pain

IME, extensive foot surgery is a gamble and can take *ages* to heal. (Thinking bunyons and realignments.)

DH had bone spurs removed from one great toe with good success. He requires more toe room in his shoes since that. There were spurs top and bottom. ("Tennis Toe".) He used a surgeon who specializes in the foot, not a podiatrist.

My 'sturdy' BOJ lace-up shoes have a steel arch.

Thanks for the explanations. My DH had surgery about 20 or so years ago on his big toe. He had broken it a long time ago and it became painful, bone-on-bone. The surgery went well. He had some pain for a couple of days which is usual, and a pin in it for several weeks, but now is fine. He still doesn’t have full mobility in that toe but no pain.

edited to correct one ‘pain’ to ‘pin’. Stupid auto correct.

SAS! I only wear sandals, but they have a wide selection.

Had a similar problem with arthritis in the big toe joint, which was eventually corrected during bunion surgery. Two things helped me get through the waiting period for surgery- Dansko shoes, and hard insoles like these placed into athletic shoes

http://www.bintzco.com/index.php/insoles-a-orthotics/glass-fiber-composite-hallux-rigidus-turf-toe-detail

SAS or a good work shoe. Also, check with Hotter shoes, they will send you a catalog

My Born desert boots, it's really a shoe, are VERY stiff. I always thought good arch support was important and not walking/running on pavement....because it's too hard...? I wear my Nike Air Max Moto +9 shoes everywhere. I highly recommend them. Or...if you want a hard sole....Nike Air Max 24/7's those are super hard soles. Link