Like many Rheumatoid sufferers, I have had painful hands and feet from day one. But, it is my feet which are the most painful, relentlessly. I was diagnosed in May 2011 and over the years I have tried all sorts of shoes, but I'm always on the lookout for something better. The only good thing about winter in my book, is footwear. Boots, a decent pair of comfortable boots. More support for the ankles. I would wear my boots all through the summer if I didn't mind looking silly ! I always loved my flip flops in summer, but they are definitely a no no now !! So, ankle support is definitely what I need too. I look forward to some suggestions.
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petalnumber2
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Orthotics, I have an appointment with the Rheumatology Clinical Nurse tomorrow morning, so I will ask her about being referred to Orthotics. Thank you Ali_H
Hi, I was referred to orthotics and have a pair of insoles that fit in most of my shoes. It does limit the styles I can buy but it makes a huge difference.
If you can afford to spend a bit Wolky are a great brand with quite trendy styles available, their insoles a completely removal so you can fit your orthotic in (even sandals!). Fly London are also a good brand.
I must say that there has been a huge amount of replies to my question about footwear and I am very grateful to have such a lot of information to consider.
As for being referred to a Podiatry Clinic with orthotics !
Well , the Clinical Nurse have me a leaflet with information and phone number, but I discovered that I love outside the area for a referral. And when contacting the suggested podiatrist in my area they say that they can't accept a referral from the hospital where I attend Rheumatology Clinic !!!!!
So, my thoughts are to be referred to a different Rheumatology Clinic altogether, one in my own area.
So, I'm guessing that my GP will have to do this for me, is that right ?
Following this, I’m the same my feet are so painful tried all sorts, sketchers aren’t bad but like you a good pair of walking boots seem to help a lot can’t tolerate nice men’s shoes just to hard on the foot
It is difficult in the summer isn't it. I do wear lightweight boots in the summer when I can and have some sports shoes that have ankle support that are OK with trousers or shorts.
I'm the opposite. I love summer and the freedom of flip flops. I tend to stick to my favourite comfortable brands like sketches, crocs and for dress, a brand called Happy Feet
Mammoth 🐊 crocs as they have a comfortable lining when inside but can only buy them on eBay
For outdoors I only wear Levi shoes and ankle boots with a cushioned shoe liner. Gosh I am feeling ancient
I too used to live in flip flops in the summer. I have had big trouble finding shoes to fit my feet. I do wear my boots in summer, I have orthotics in them which help a bit but also Im long past caring about what others think, I just need to be able to walk and if that means boots all year round then that’s what I do. Also I have some Birkenstock’s which I wear if I don’t have far to walk and it’s really hot.
I say wear your boots, silly or not, comfort is more important. 😊
I know where you are coming from. My feet seem to vary. I couldn’t wear flip flops or anything flat like that. I can get away with Merrill walking sandals but glamorous they are not. I bought a pair of Uggs and find them really bad for making my feet hurt over the instep and I get what we thought at first was tendinitis but which my chiropodist thinks is actually arthritis.
I’m afraid I wear trainers a lot now - I like ASICS as they have lots of good support and are very padded. Sketchers are supportive and soft too. I look at teenagers and they seem to wear trainers with everything so I’m doing that now. I also like ECCO shoes but again they are lace ups and not really glam.
I’ve basically turned into one of those little old ladies who I used to see wearing trainers when I was young and I used to think they were a bit eccentric - now I know why they wore them.
I’ve got orthotics from my chiropodist - I don’t use them all the time though. I’ve also got wonderful little plantar fasciitis support socks - got mine on amazon and they are really good. They are snug - but not too tight - and have made a huge difference when My feet hurt - kind of hold me together, plus they aren’t all that expensive.
Have you seen a podiatrist? The examined my feet and my walking and my problems (I posted a pic of my feet the other day!)
For me they said nothing too flat as one of the tendons is stretched in each foot which has widened them, and that a small wedge is best for me, and fitflop trainers with nothing too flat at the front either...
Being me I’ve done my best to follow their advice but similar rather than exact.
If you haven’t seen them I’d definitely recommend asking to... they can really help with decisions on what to buy!
Hi all, thanks for all the information, just what I needed to get me started on the trail of some foot comfort.
I'm certainly not adverse to trainers anytime of the year, so I'll go shopping for some. I've heard that Sketchers footwear is good, so that's where I'll start.
I'm a regular shopper on Amazon so I will look into the support socks too. Thank you all for your help. Xxx
I have the same problem my feet hurt badly and the fitted insoles from Orthotics were not soft enough the edges agravated my feet more. I found some really comfortable trainers last summer in Primark surprisingly...they were extremely padded, I also put in extra insoles they sell, they were so cumfy I bought another pair. I think they are selling them again this year but they go fast. 🤗
I wear baseball boots in summer with a thin memory foam insole. I also do much better with ankle support and find them more comfortable for longer than my sketchers trainers.
I have Shuropody (sp?) sandals which have padded soles n ankle support but still look a bit trendy. Have recently discovered Clarks Trigenic ...fab, v v lightweight, soft and supportive. Hopecthis is helpful
Desperate for comfy summer sandals last year, I went to a specialist shop called "ShoeMed" in Clitheroe, Lancs. - they have one other shop in Stratford-upon-Avon, though I suppose other similar retailers are available! The staff there took great care in listening to my foot issues, measuring my feet, watching my gait and taking copious notes. I was offered lots of options to try on and bought two pairs which I wore for the whole of the summer - they were total bliss! They cost much more than I am used to paying for footwear (£265 for both pairs) but turned out to be well worth it. In place of house slippers, I wear Croc-type shoes with the furry lining (a fiver-ish from Lidl - more my price range, haha) as I find them supportive and warm. Hope you find some suitable footwear soon, petalnumber2.
I also have difficulty with shoes,particularly since I have ankle pain.I had an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon,who advised me to buy sketchers and fitflops.I wear the fit flops shoes to work and they feel amazing.
Because of RA,OA,bunions and having to wear very deep insoles there doesnt seem to be many brands that I can wear....and really like what Im wearing ! But .. like nanapat61 I’ve discovered ShoeMed ....in Stratford On Avon 😊 Expensive and quite a long journey but absolutely worth it. Staff spend time measuring and discussing your needs and there always seems to be a fair selection for me even with my difficult feet requirements. I’ve got a pair of smart winter boots,fantastic walking boots and a funky pair of ‘almost trainers but not really’ shoes for summer. I can wear my orthotics comfortably in all of them and are all just SO comfortable.But it’s always a problem in the summer because I have to have a sandal with a back and side deep enough to keep the orthotic stable and stop it falling out. DB Widerfit Shoes have some sandals that fit the bill...not as funky as I would like but hey ho I’d rather be able to get out and walk, and I I usually find some thing so a good compromise until I find that elusive fabulous and comfortable sandal that fits perfectly! Good luck in you search petalnumber 2
I agree about the flip flops. I used to live in them but they added to my problem by giving me plantar faciait's. They are the worst shoes you can wear for sore feet. Offer no support and put strain on your toes and metatarsal bones as you try to keep them on. I now wear sketchers trainers with orthotics with arch support and heel and front of foot support. I also have a slip on pair with memory foam soles to wear in the house and they are fantastic. So light and mould to shape of foot. I wear karrimore walking sandals which are very light and comfortable but soles are a bit hard if you feet very sore. So far that is what I wear and it's taken me 2 years of trial and error to get my feet comfortable in shoes. When they were very sore a few months ago I could only wear very soft memory foam shoes. These feet have caused me so many problems but even though still sores are heaps better. It's extremely important to wear supportive insoles.
My feet aren't too bad so cannot swear they will help but I also love Vionics (get them from QVC who will let you wear them for 30 days and return for full refund). I also pay for private chiropody to check my feet and get my nails cut.
Got a new pair of sandals last week - everything velcro to fit!
• in reply to
Sorry should have added QVC often also allow you to pay in installments.
I'd echo others' recommendations - in summer I wear Fit Flop sandals and flip flops, LOVE Vionics in winter (but can only afford to get them in the sale) and Fit Flop boots. I also have some brilliant Ecco trainers - I have a permanent search for them and Vionics on eBay as you can often get brand new styles much cheaper there. Have just looked up Wolky too - they're fab!
Walking boots for me. My latest Podiatrist has me in them for ankle support. Not a good look with a posh dress so looking for something more suitable for my Goddaughter's wedding this summer!
Have you had custom made orthotics made? That plus the heel inserts for Achilles tendonitis have made a difference for me. Still can't walk as far as I'd like but it does make walking more comfortable.
Fit flops are not supportive at all so I'd give them a wide berth. Anything that laces up is best, except trainers, the exception being one style of Nike, don't remember which as once I found out how much they were I didn't bother sourcing them.
Sketchers shoes changed my life. I mean that. No more sore feet. Buy them in the sale as they are expensive but worth it. Don’t look very smart but I don’t care. I am comfy !!!
I also have problems with shoes due to RA and bunions. The only comfortable ones can wear are ones with stretch fabric at the front from various specialist retailers such as cosy feet of wider fit shoes. I would dearly love to find a more dressy shoe but have not found anything so far. Any ideas out there?
Ok sorry everyone but I'm just going to climb on my soap box and put my reflexologist hat one for a minute. Flip flops and anything similar are fine for by the pool or around the house/garden but really bad for anything more as they put terrible strain on the tendons and can lead to very painful debilitating repetitive strain injury. Basically, if you can't shake your foot without footwear falling off it's not good for you. Lecture over
I live in Toms in the summer months. I find them more supportive than Sketchers but that might just be personal preference. They have an ergonomically shaped footbed and are wonderfully comfortable. They cost more than some other makes but they last for years and you can feel smug knowing your purchase has given a pair of shoes to a child in need. You can often get them in the sales but, be warned, they can turn into a serious habit.
Hi Petal, I like Clarks' Unstructured range with removable inner soles/semi orthotics (I say semi as it is a soft but supportive inner sole and makes all the difference.) I also mix and match my inner soles in different shoes. Fly of London make some great casual footwear with chunky rubbery wedgey soles which I like too. You could ask your rheumy for a referral to Ortohtics for a custom made pair of boots. I am having some made and if it's not too hot for you then yes, wear your boots in summer if it helps walking around! I am trying to find comfy trainers myself as I have one wide foot and one skinny, so difficult. Nike tend to be for skinny feet but I have found New Balance, Skechers and Asics all have a wider fitting across the top of the foot. I have Solomon walking shoes which are lovely and wide and their walkng boots and trainers are wide too and is what I am after next. I need support under the ball of foot and need my heels raised so like shoes with a little wedge, and Clarks seem to have quite a few pairs I can usually choose from. Good luck with your shoe/boot search! X
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