Visit To Podiatrist

[Maydup]

I have a long awaited appointment with the podiatrist this week for a painful, swollen foot. Having had physio I am told I need a properly fitting insole to support my foot as well as the tendon strengthening exercises I'm doing

Now ...... my question is about shoes. Despite the warm weather is it best to wear my sensible winter shoes or will I be OK in reasonably sensible but not so supportive sandals complete with nail varnish?

The letter says to wear everyday footwear. I take it that they want to check what my everyday footwear is and will tear me off a strip if its not suitable. I rarely wear high shoes or flip flops so I want to give a good impression.

[boxtops]

I guess they are going to want to see you in sensible shoes..... I had one of these shaped insoles in a shoe a while back, in an attempt to correct my gait.

However, you might as well wear the sandals if this is what you are currently wearing daily, they'll want to see what sort of footwear you wear regularly, IMO.

[Maydup]

Small heel or completely flat, which is best for us? I rarely wear the same shoes twice in a week, i alternate depending upon the weather and my outfit.

Nail varnish OK or should I go naked?

As you can tell, I don't want to be told off!

[Eve]

I always go without nail varnish as they look at my feet and nails in relation to my rheumatoid arthritis though I do have problems with my nails growing funny and being really painful so they had a reason to look at my nails and they cut them for me as I have difficulty getting to them, let alone armed with sharp instruments.

If they will be looking at your feet in general, rather than just fitting an insole, I'd go varnish free.

If they are fitting an insole they seem to prefer you in shoes that you wear normally so that they can provide the most appropriate support for you.

I always get told to have more supportive shoes with a sturdy sole and proper support round the foot and over the top (so your tendons and such in your feet aren't working harder to keep a shoe on your foot) like a decent strap or laces. They won't give me insoles until I get something suitable.

Trouble is I find it very difficult to get shoes which are comfortable enough underfoot and anything over the top of my foot really hurts so it's a bit of an impasse.

I saw one guy who took one of my Sketchers Go Walk and twisted them round to show how unsupportive they are.

Maybe take a selection of the shoes you wear most often to show them so they can get an idea of the type of footwear you have and can advise accordingly, rather than just going on the pair you are wearing at the time.

[Maydup]

Awww that's a good idea Eve, to take a selection of shoes. I might just do that, there's no harm in having a bag of shoes with me is there. Hadn't though of that, but its obvious now.

I'm anxious that they make me a set of insoles to fit my winter shoes (which are pretty worn out now anyway) and nothing for sandals. I'd be happy to wear supportive sandals if only such things existed!

[excelsior-1]

i hope the visit goes well for you, Maydup

[Maydup]

Thanks Excel, luckily I'm not in agony, but it will be good to see someone about my foot at last.

[jamesnan]

The insoles I had would not have stayed in place in sandals, so comfortable everyday shoes were more necessary

[megfitz]

Eve's right,take a selection of shoes, they will look at the wear on the soles to see where the weight distribution is, and ask them about recommended styles and heel heights.
Orthotists can usually point you in the direction of suppliers, ours used to recommend Clarks,Ecco and Hotter.
Me..I swear by Hotter wide fit stylish and comfy.

[askyourgran]

Maydup, you will probably need support for your foot until you are completely healed, Hotter and Clarke's are good for fittings. I sometimes have problems finding a comfortable shoe, I've found M&S footglove are Ok. Hope you feel better soon.