OT: Healing a Foot and the Wrong Shoes - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Healing a Foot and the Wrong Shoes

Lisa

Veteran

Hi,

I'm going off topic for the curious and because I need to talk this out. If you've seen my WIW's in the past two months, you probably noticed my lack of interesting footwear. I've had bone surgery on my foot (bunion) and the recovery is quite long. Since you put the weight on your foot it's one of the slowest healing bones (legs are a close second). It's been a lesson in patience whether I want to be or not. But the foot looks really nice and in the end I should be quite happy.

I've been trying to wear what I would typically wear, so I do not fall into a trap of sweats for 3 to 6 months. It's not that easy when you can only pick the top half of your outfits. Especially with skirts and dresses when bright white sneakers really stand out. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do right? And I want to say thank you to everyone at YLF who has been so kind with comments on my WIW posts.

The unfortunate news is, I've apparently been purchasing the wrong footwear. This did not lead to foot surgery, but it is not going to help the next step of my recovery either. So now my collection of shoes (almost 30 pairs of boots, pumps, flats, sneakers, booties, sandals etc) are for the donate pile. And I am sick to my stomach. First at the thought that I was silly enough to purchase the wrong shoes all this time and second, at the thought of all the wasted money!

I've already tried to salvage what I can and am thankful to Nordstrom who let me exchange an already worn pair of boots from the Anniversary sale for my correct size. And to Rockport for taking an exchange after 30 days due to my circumstance. So at least I have two pairs of shoes for now.I'm trying to see this as an opportunity to rebuild my shoes with pairs I really need and will wear, as I am certain many of the shoes I had sat rarely worn if ever.

I always had my foot measured but the size I measured never accounted for my very long toes and how my foot spreads when I walk, hence the wrong size in the past. Thank you to the Walking Company for scanning my foot (they have a scan in the store that images your foot) and teaching me how to fit a shoe.

Thanks for reading!

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from C. E.

Debbie

Veteran

Lisa thank-you for posting this. I will look into the Walking Company. Shoes are functional and not just for looks. Something I need to remember.

Lisa

Veteran

Debbie-I was surprised with their in store selection. I did try these boots and really liked them. But they were too big on my calf or they would have came home with me. I did purchase these in black as a present to myself for when my foot finally goes down in swelling. My non-healing foot tells me this is the most comfortable ballet flat I've ever tried on. It has some "meat" to it, ie, an arch, and really padded footbed. I was surprised! And the shoe is cut a little higher so you should see little to none of the scar on the top of my foot.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, I'm sorry your foot is taking so long to heal. It sounds like the whole ordeal is very frustrating and I'm glad that once you get through it, you'll be able to walk pain free.

I'm very interested in how you got your foot measured by the Walking Company and how you bought the wrong size shoes for so long. Is it that you wear a wide width or something? If the shoes you currently have are not the right size, didn't they hurt your feet? I'm very interested in this post and the foot scan you got. Now I wonder if I'm wearing the right size! : )

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I went to a New Balance store and they had this fancy scanner that also picked my center of gravity (I lean to the right). Hopefully when you're right as rain you'll be able to get some new fantastic shoes.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, I hope your foot heals soon. It is a bummer about your shoe collection but your feet are more important. Please take good care of them!

Lisa

Veteran

Ana-I new the recovery was long, which is why I kept putting off surgery (for 5 years). The scan sounds similar to what Annagybe mentioned. They scan the foot and the computer shows your pressure points and how you stand. It also tells your shoe size. The size runs a tad off which is when the associate's knowledge helped me out. I always knew I needed a shoe that was more round in shape for my toes, but I did not realize the slight slip you should have in the heel. Or to have a thumb width of room in the toes near the front of the shoe. When a shoe slips completely off your foot it's too big but a tiny slip is ok. I did not realize this. When my heel would slip even a little I would size down, which would cause my front toe to go less than a thumb width near the front of the shoe. The slight slip of the heel gives your foot more range of motion to walk with the shoe. This is one reason why clogs are so popular in certain fields where you stand for many hours on end. The slip in a clog lets your foot have full range of motion when you walk. There is a lot to fitting a shoe, much more than just measuring your foot size. I'm learning a lot!

Edit to add: I never noticed foot pain from the fit of the shoe, but I'm betting the pain from the bunion overshadowed any pain from an improper fit.

Lisa

Veteran

Anna-I cannot wait to go shoe shopping, now I have a real reason to shop!

Sveta-Thanks!

kellygirl

Veteran

You do what you have to do--that's for sure. Bunions are no fun. I think it's great that you are getting this taken care of while you are young but I am so bummed about your shoe situation--you have the most amazing footwear. Perhaps you can sell them on ebay or consign them?

I'm really impressed at how you managed to keep up your style during your recovery. You rock the sneaks : )

Out of curiosity, how much of a size difference are you talking about? A half size? A width?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I used to wear sneakers at work, and even worse for 1 1/2 years I been wearing instability shoes. After my back and hip issues my lead tech suggested clogs. Dansko professionals never really worked for my instep. I got a pair of Sanitas (suggested by Denise/Cocolion). Dansko used to make their footbeds licensed from Sanitas, but when they switched to Chinsese production they stopped. So far so good.
I do miss my high heels, a lot.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, this information is very helpful. Thank you!

Lisa

Veteran

Kellygirl-One unpleasant thought, I still have a bunion on my right foot, so I will probably go through all this again next year, ugh! But I am healing fast and one of the reasons I pushed to do this now is because I am young and can and should heal fast. Ebay is a great idea, I'll have to look into it. Thanks! I was only half a size off, but that half size was a big difference. I feel like I can move my toes more now in the larger size shoe. My swollen foot can fit into the larger size, but it has no where to go when it swells (more) by end of day. The mesh of the sneaker gives my foot the extra room it needs right now hence all the sneaker wearing. I've heard recovery from swelling can take 6 months or longer! So by that timing the fact that I can already put my foot into a shoe (even if I can't wear it for long yet) is a very good sign.

Debora

Veteran

Wow, Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this with us. First, I had no idea that you had had surgery on your foot, and I'm sorry to hear about the long recovery. My foot problems have increased in the past several years, and it never occurred to me that the cause could be improperly fitted shoes. I was attributing it to age. What you say makes so much sense! I will definitely check this out, thanks to you. Thank you also for continuing to share your stylish WIW's with us in spite of all that you have gone through. Hugs!

Lisa

Veteran

Anna-I am going to miss heels too. But nothing will make me go back to high heels (which I never truly found comfortable anyway, I just don't have the arch for them) after going through this foot surgery. I tried the Dansko in the store, they were comfortable but the flapping from the clog, I just could not do. It got on my nerves just in the store! Sanitas, I'll have to remember that!

Ana-My pleasure!

Lisa

Veteran

Debora-I always had foot issues but it's gotten worse, and worse over the years. I like to run and when my foot started going numb running I pushed forward with surgery. And I refuse to be doomed to shoes I do not like just for my foot. Angie has fussy feet and she has plenty of fab shoes. There is too much variety out there to settle. Now that I know how to fit my foot I figure half the battle is over, it's just a matter of finding the right shoe.

kellygirl

Veteran

You are very wise, Lisa! I'd want to get this over ASAP too!

Debora

Veteran

Thanks the right attitude!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thank you for sharing this - it really helps a lot. Some of my old shoes aren't fitting quite as well since losing weight, and it's very useful to know that one should have a bit of room in the toe-box, and that a little bit of a gap/slip in the back is actually ok - better than too-tight shoes. It seems I went down half a size, but ...given your post - this might not be true after all.

Meanwhile, I had done some research, because I was so totally perplexed as to why certain shoes fit and others didn't - all in the same size. I found that the ECCO brand of shoes was most comfortable, and upon reading, I found out why - it turns out that this brand makes their shoes roomier in the toe area than in the heel area. This was pretty much perfect for me - since I have fairly narrow feet after all, but still felt like certain shoes were too tight on me.

Here's the blurb about that from their website:

"To better build for comfort, we reinvented how shoes should fit. Conventional shoes fit across your feet at the toes, restricting the way your toes spread as you walk. ECCO's "Freedom Fit" fits from heel to instep, allowing toes to spread naturally to better support your weight and foster a more comfortable walking experience."

from: http://www.eccousa.com/about-e.....index.aspx

Just something to file away for future reference when your foot heals up and you're ready for some newer shoes.

Having said that - I'm intrigued about the Walking Company and their foot scan - sounds like a good thing to me. I'll probably try it sometime, and thank you again for sharing this information - much appreciated.

Here's hoping your healing goes beautifully and that you'll be feeling better in no time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are a champ, Lisa. And many hugs to you and your cute feet. It's never too late to learn about our bodies - despite the cost.

I wear all my shoes with a slight slip for comfort. My Mum taught us that, maintaining that was the correct fit for our school shoes (which were always Clarks). I guess that she was inadvertently right. At least - that is how I understand it? Did you have to go up half a size as well as change the shape of your footwear, Lisa?

There has to be a silver lining in all of this! A new footwear collection. Perhaps you can swap shoes with YLFers?

Rest assured, whatever your footwear needs, we will be here to support you.

Lantana

Veteran

Lisa, this is such an important topic, I'm glad you brought it up. I bought a pair of Birkenstocks for the first time this year and my feet wept in gratitude. They're Mary Janes and not as clunky as this brand usually is. The best thing is that I subsequently bought a Birkenstock " foot bed" in my correct size. I can slip this inside my other shoes, which are otherwise a crappy fit, and they feel heavenly. Something to think about.

C. E.

Lisa, so interesting to read your post. I have very fussy feet. Always have. And after several years with bouts of horrible heel pain my shoe choices have narrowed more. Ballet flats don't fit (need higher vamp) and I don't like the looks of mary janes. I totally agree with having more room in the shoe and toe box. I'm also wanting a flexible shoe (the opposite of a clog) so that my foot gets exercised as I walk so that I'm using all those muscles and ligaments in the feet. The advice I've been given is that excessive "support" is a bad idea in the long run because the foot is immobilized. I wish there were more stylish choices.
C. E.

Carole

Veteran

So sorry about your shoe and boot collection, Lisa. But your feet are worth the investment! I didn't realize there was such a thing in the Walking Company! I'm going to check the store out!

My bunions are much happier with me these days as I have learned what type of shoe I can and can't wear. They still ache and cause cramping in my feet, but the pain has really been diminished by wearing the right type of shoe and toe box. One of best things I have garnered from YLF has been Angie's shoe recommendations. I own several pairs of Fidjis, they make my feet happy and are edgy and fun. A low heeled boot is my best friend too. Absolutely nothing over 2 inches.

We should start a bunion support group! Hope you continue to heal quickly and that the swelling in your foot will soon be over with!

Ps. Love your cute new shoes,

Lisa

Veteran

Kellygirl-Thanks!

Debora-Thanks!

Velvetychocolate-Thanks! I was not familiar with the Ecco brand before. I'll have to check them out. I really like the statement to allow the foot to spread naturally. Often the shoe fits in the heel but not in the toe box, and when I go up a size, sometimes the foot slides forward and squishes the toes because the heel is no longer fit properly.

C. E.-I will pass along any brands and styles as I run across them myself. I have noticed, shoes with no support inside feel slimsy to my feet. Shoes with too much arch support also make my feet sore. I also wish there were more stylish and proper fit of the foot shoes instead of just stylish shoes that don't fit well and do not help support the foot in stores.

Angie-Thanks! Your mum was right on fit of shoes. I have to go up half a size in most shoes. A roomy toe box for my toes to spread is also key. And I have to pay attention to the fit of the heel. Since my heel is narrow, the foot can easily slide forward and squish the toes. I think fitting shoes with laces and boots will be the easiest since the entire foot is covered. I expect spring and summer shoe shopping will be a challenge since sandals and flats have more exposed foot which means I'll have less wiggle room with the fit.

Lantana-Thanks! It's nice to hear Birkenstocks have some variety in their line. I think I'd be more prone to purchase a Mary Jane style than a clog for myself.

Carole-I'm happy to join a bunion support group on YLF. I'm going to keep Fidji in mind for the spring when I move out of boots. I am hoping Nordstrom will have a nice selection in a few months.

C. E.

I agree -- there is a fine line between too much support and too little. Boots are a good idea. I only wear short ones, otherwise I have foot "claustrophobia". (Weird, I know.)
Here is an interesting article about shoes and feet: http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/
C. E.