Update on Footwear for Primary Lymphoedema in legs and ankles

Hello AnneBury, hope you are as well as can be under these lymph circumstances.

I was having a general read through and saw this post, I for one will be tracking these shoes down. Have recently bought a pair of indoor/outdoor shoes from Cosy Feet but the straps only just fit over my swollen feet. The good thing is Cosy Feet also sell straps that fit onto the on the shoes you have, only down fall is the extra straps cost £4.99 + postage but I suppose they are worth getting if you have paid a lot of money for footwear.

Saying that though would have thought the manufacturers would of made straps longer on shoes to solve the problems we have with swelling. They need someone with Lymphoedema to actually go and explain to them what we need to save having to pay extra all the time.

I know we get v.a.t. relief but why on earth are shoes so costly for us! guess it is the work, material and time that costs so much. Not fair though.

Anyhow just thought would say about the extra straps you can get for shoes, they do other bits & bobs too. Hope this is of help regarding elongating straps on shoes.

Take care, stay safe......xxxx

Hi

I was in Lincolnshire area but after some years the funding system changed and I was no longer allowed to see the specialist nurse because she was employed by a hospice....but if I had any issues she would come and give advice at my surgery but not allowed to even touch me!! But I never had any problems.

I now live in North Yorkshire and it is hit and miss as to whether the practice nurse I get to see knows anything/had any training on the condition....but I know enough and would insist on a referral to a specialist if needed.

I get a lot of my shoes from either Clarks or Pavers....but as fashions change it isn't always possible, so if I spot any I buy them so I always have some. For summer I got a great pair with a mesh top and rugged soles ideal for walking but they aren't made any more. I will try my local Timpsons who do great repairs to see if they can re-sole.

Wonder Nurse emphasised that elasticated straps were an absolute no-no as they restrict flow of blood and lymph because they work by exerting pressure on the flesh. Dire things can happen, including permanent damage to what vessels are working!!

Hello Chris21,

Just seen your post and I too have to get my footwear online and wondered if you have looked at Cosyfeet, DB Wider fit shoes who go up to a 8E and also have deep fitting too, have also found that Dr. Keller shoes, slippers are wide feet too. Some of the shoes etc., are far to expensive for me so I get them when they have sales on plus the v.a.t. relief which is a great help. Hope this will help you as I am also a EEEEE fit.

Hi

My specialist lymph nurse said not to wear compression hose for 24 hours....so if I wear them all day I remove for bed (anyway, I have to remove them to do the simple lymphatic drainage). Conversely, if for a special occasion I don't wear them in the day (for special functions!!) she advised wearing them that night.

Surely the whole point of footwear is that they contain the swelling, rather than giving it room to expand!! (see my post above).

Know I am late replying, but I like my toes free too. Feel to confined all wrapped up and enclosed, even when wearing compressions have to have footless ones.

Mary Jane's are shoes that have an instep strap, which should be adjustable (Velcro is best) and cover the whole foot, no open gaps, except for a space between strap and top/front of the shoe.

Clarks did brilliant Mary Jane's that were in the Airwave, so they encouraged proper heel toe movement. Long term suffering from swollen feet and ankles make sufferers walk with a flat footed gait, because the instep doesn't flex. I have had to learn to walk properly again!!