I had my doctor’s appointment on Monday. This was the follow-up with the podiatrist.
I had been soaking my foot for over two months, trying to calluses off my right big toe. I had calluses that were layered and layered. UGH.
I’m diabetic, and feet are important for diabetics, so I went in when I felt something was wrong. The first visit was with my PA. She said to soak it once or twice a day and keep it moist with a Band-Aid. I got one layer of calluses off, but under it were more. Then my big toe started getting really red. Hmm. I continued soaking and got another layer off.
My toe continued to be red. I went back to my PA. She was concerned about the redness and was going to put me on an antibiotic, but I had just started one, so she said that would cover my toe too. But she wanted me to see the podiatrist.
While I waited for the appointment, I was to continue soaking. I have to say, Rick is the hero in this. I can’t tell you how many times he brought me a bucket of hot water while I was writing blog posts so I could soak my foot.
Finally, I saw the podiatrist on Monday. I had good news. He told me that my toe actually looked pretty good. He was concerned about my being diabetic. My A1C was well under control.
He was still concerned about my toe. Here’s what’s going on. I have arthritis in my big toe knuckle. It doesn’t bend properly. That makes calluses form on my big toe. I will likely always have this issue. Down the road, there are surgery options, but we’re trying a few things first.
This is the very sad part for me. No more Hey Dudes. I wear Hey Dude shoes all the time. I love them. I adore them. I have many pairs. I wear them around the house like slippers. My PT guy showed me how to “make arches” for them.
Hey Dudes have a very flexible sole, and for my toe, that only makes things worse. He suggested Asics running shoes. I already had those at home. He also mentioned that he planned on trying to get things to go through my insurance and get me insoles fitted to my feet, along with a pair of diabetic shoes. UGH. My heart sank. All I could think of was those ugly black shoes with the straps across the top. I wasn’t ready for that yet. Was I? UGH.
So we started getting things in motion for the fitted insoles. I would need to see another MD and have them sign off, then the process could get started. The nurse did come in and assured me that diabetic shoes are not longer like I had pictured. She said they order shoes from SureFit and Dr. Comfort.
In the meantime, I have to wear a silicone sleeve on my big toe and have extra cushioning in my shoes.
So…I went home very sad…but hopeful. These are the shoes I’ll likely pick that are diabetic shoes. They gave me a little hope that I wouldn’t look too awkward.
After some whining and a lot of convincing on Rick’s part, I threw away my favorite beat-up pair of Hey Dudes.
We were still getting rid of things for the garage sale, so I got REALLY brave. I went through my shoes. The two pair of Asics that I had would not fit with the insoles I now I have to wear. I need to get my shoes a size bigger and in a wide to allow for the extra things in my shoes.
Yes, I have three brand new pairs of Hey Dudes…never worn. UGH. I had a brand new pair of Asics new worn as well. UGH. To the garage sale they went.
Rick and I found a pair of shoes and ordered them. They will arrive on Thursday. I don’t have to wear the diabetic shoes ALL of the time…just most of the time.
It’s wonderful that there are things to help my foot…but I’m so sad that getting rid of my favorite Hey Dudes is part of the solution. It’s a very sad goodbye. For the record, the only thing I hate shopping for more than bras is shoes. One of my feet is about a half size bigger than the other. This is going to be a new, interesting chapter. Any advice from any of you with foot issues? I’d love to hear from you.
Oh, one more thing. I asked my doctor about the numbness in my right foot. He asked about my back surgery and when it was. He said nerves heal only 1 millimeter per week. So…I could measure from my incision down to the bottom of my foot in millimeters. That’s how many weeks it will take before we know if my foot will get feeling back. Oh my. That’s a lot of millimeters and a lot of weeks. Thankfully, I’m getting used to it, so if it never comes back, it’s okay…if it does, it will be a pleasant surprise.
Seriously…please share foot/shoe problems and solutions with me…I’m a newbie!!
I also have arthritis in my toes. Birkenstocks are great! They don’t let your toes bend. Pricey, but good.
Jo, I had plantar fasciitis a bazillion years ago and had to get orthotics to fit my feet/arches. In the process I was told one foot is size 8, the other size 8 1/2, and my arches measured to be at a size 9. So the orthotics were made to fit in size 9 shoes, and they didn’t fit into cute little girlie shoes, so I got to wear bulky shoes. But Jo, my feet never felt better than they do with the orthotics! I’m serious. My shoes weren’t cute, but my feet were no longer in pain. I decided that was a pretty good trade off! After years of wearing them I was able to buy/wear prettier shoes, for special occasions and for a relatively short period of time, an evening, or an afternoon, only.
I think in the long run, you’ll be pleased. Best wishes.
I had both bunions removed years ago, and since then I have only been able to wear sensible shoes, nothing with a heel for instance. Now I’m in my 70’s I don’t care about that any more and for years now I have only ever worn Rieker shoes. You may not be able to get them in the US, I believe they are a German make. Good luck.
When my inserts were prescribed I was told to remove the inserts that come in the shoe which leaves room for the new prescribed inserts
The foot/ankle surgeons I work with strongly advice Birkenstocks. I’ve worn them for more than 30 years and worked in the OR in their Boston style. I have an “indoor pair” I wear when sewing/quilting. Great foot support is great for our backs too!
I do have a wider foot. I wear a 9W so buy an 8M in walking shoes. Great space in the toe box. My current love is HOKA-I walk 5+ miles daily so really good support is necessary.
None of these are cheap but dang, our lifestyle is based on being able to move around without pain or creating problems so that is where I spend $. Clothes from the thrift stores ;-)
Sister swears by Dansko and Keen. These were recommended by her foot doc to decrease pain from her sudden onset Plantar Fasciitis.
Best of luck finding what works for you! It may take a day of trying on everything in a quality shoe store. (we have 2 that specialize, 1 has a podiatrist on staff!)
! I was sooo afraid you were going to say a sad goodbye to your big toe!!! I’m so glad you get to keep it! You really scared me.
My daughter has ankles that fall in and has special inserts made for her shoes which give her good support. She also wears a 12 so it’s always been hard for her to find something cute. I love the ASICS shoes but now have switched to the zero heel with a wide toe box. Very comfortable! Your toes have room and that’s helpful. The zero heel feels good and helps with balance and body alignment. I got Whitin suede from Amazon. I hope you heal soon and I’m glad Rick has been such a great nurse!
I want to second Arline. I wear insoles to help my posture which helps everything else feel better. I remove the standard, factory insoles and replace them with the corrective insoles. Same size shoes, which is safer because you would have to adjust to bigger/ longer shoes to avoid tripping. Try it with your current Aasics before you let them go. Good luck. And happy feet are definitely better than cute feet.
Yes, when you get your inserts you do have to take out the others. They may suggest slowly increasing wear time. I found out the hard way that was the best thing to do. You can get a slight increase in cushion by using a Dr. Scholls insert/sweat pad.
Also, if you’re worried about width, look at men’s shoes. I wear a 10-1/2 wide in women’s shoes, which are hard to find. Men’s are sometimes even a tad wider, but also easier to find, which is a big plus. No one call tell my tennis shoes are men’s.
My PT also recommended custom insoles in my shoes, for my Achilles tendonitis issues. They really made a difference and felt good once I got used to them. I’ve had to give up my flip flops.
Jo, I wear inserts and I buy Asics because I can take the insole out and put in the ones I use. I never use both at the same time. Your circumstance may be different than mine. I have neuropathy and after tennis the pain would be shooting up my legs. I could barely drive home less than a mile home. I did see a podiatrist and he wrote the type on insert I needed. I went to the expensive sneaker store he sent me too first. When I got home I went on Amazon and they have the exact same ones about $20 cheaper at the time, 5 yrs ago. I buy new court shoes every year, remove the insole and put new inserts in at the same time. I also wear the inserts in my everyday sneakers.
Orthofeet has a good selection of top quality shoes for many foot conditions including diabetic. They have some cute shoes too! I started using them as a source for work shoes before I retired (on my feet all day plus had to be slip resistant). Last time I ordered some, they included two sizes (thickness) of inserts as well as a set of arch supports you could add to the shoes. (I didn’t use those, shoes already had excellent arch support). You can try out the shoes for 60 days and return if not satisfactory for you (free shipping and returns). With the free shipping/returns, it makes it feasible to order a few pairs just to try them out. I also have Birkenstocks. Personally, I think you need to try Birkenstocks on in the store to find what size fits you best. It may vary depending on the style. Birkenstocks makes a “plastic” version (they call it EVA) which is not as expensive as the regular Birkenstocks. I find them to be very comfortable too. Keep us posted on how your search goes!
Orthofeet included the extra inserts and extra arch support at no charge. It’s been a couple years since I last ordered, so I am not positive they still include them with all orders.
I’m sorry to hear about your foot problem. I am experiencing some of the same issues, so thank you for all of the information. I don’t have any answers to help you, but I do feel your pain and frustration. Hang in there and focus on what is good. Prayers for you!
I hope you will find the style and brand of shoe that you will like. I had wondered about your Hey Dude shoes. I wouldn’t say anything because you liked them a lot. It seems a lot of foot and leg problems can be linked to shoes. It gets worse as we get older. I remember the hard wood-like Dr. Scholl sandals that were so popular. They were supposed to exercise your calves, lol. I guess a lot of us have worn shoes for looks that were uncomfortable; high heels, platform shoes, to mention a couple.
I have always had knee issues, and about 10 years ago I started to pronate, which caused pain from my feet through my knees to my hips! I started physical therapy, and once they realized I was pronating, they recommended I go to a running store and explain my needs (pronating, wide toe box, extra heel support).
I went just up the street and the people at the running store were amazing! They immediately brought out 3 similar models from different brands for me to try. I chose my favorite, and I now basically live in that style shoe, and it’s life changing!
Jo I can empathize with you altho I am not diabetic, I endured foot issues. Plantar fascia on left, a Morton neuroma on right. Custom inserts changed my life! No more Hey Dudes or sketcher Bobs for me, and yes a change in size. Wider, but absolutely no regrets in making the changes. Protect your feet….they take you everywhere!! Best wishes!
There are so many people with foot problems. So far I am fortunate, but I’m sure my time is coming. I quit wearing “dress” shoes like heels, etc. which I wore to work for years. Sometimes I want to scream when I see young people wearing those pointy, high heels (just like I do when I see a young person smoking). My mother was a stickler when it came to our shoes, no cheap tennis shoes.
My granddaughter loves Hey Dudes. She, too, would be heartbroken if she had to give them up. I’m diabetic as well and my foot has been aching for a week or so. You inspired me to get new shoes to see if they clear up the problem. I’m a flip flop gal and was happy to see Dr. Comfort had a pair!
I need to have shoes with enhanced arches to accommodate my high arches and plantar fasciitis. My favorite brands now are Taos, Aretrex, Birkenstocks, Brooks, and Dansko. Several of these come in wide width. I am 78 and need dressy shoes for church. I am so with you! I remember my grandmothers who both wore those black old lady shoes with the inch inch heels that laced up. They wore these shoes constantly! My shoes are not old lady shoes! They are very comfy but stylish. Not for a 20 year old but definitely not what lots of women my age wear! It is true that my shoes cost a lot initially but they last for many years and it is very hard to put a price on comfort. I have never had to have foot surgery either for my feet. That in itself is a huge savings! Best of luck to you with your big toe. Also, I put lotion on my feet, including the soles after every shower and before I go to bed. This has helped me tremendously with calluses.
After a severe case of plantar faciatis I have only been able to wear orthotic shoes. Not all orthotic shoes are ugly. I wear Brooks tennis shoes and Mephisto or Birkenstock sandals. They are not marketed as orthotics but they serve the same purpose. I never go barefoot as that seems to cause the most foot and leg pain for me. I’ve often wondered about your HeyDude shoes but never wanted to say anything. I wanted to be able to wear them when they were all the rage but they are just too soft and offer no support. Good luck with your foot issues. Do you have anyone in your area who can give you a good pedicure once a month? Pedicures aren’t just for colored nail polish, they are for foot health as well!
Jo, ask your podiatrist about Hokas. They’re more expensive than Asics, but they last forever and are supportive and very comfortable.
Best of luck
Hey Jo,
I’ve had a corn on my little toe for a few years. When I found Skechers relaxed fit shoes those helped. Same size I wear but toe box is wider and I can wiggle toes around. However relaxed fit isn’t always written in the shoe description now. Plus these shoes are not the thick soled style. But some are the step in style that’s advertised so much.
Recently I started using corn removal drops at night. After a few weeks of conservative applications, it peeled off in layers till it got to the tiny core and I’m pretty sure it’s gone! I won’t hold my breath though cause I know how these irritants like to pop up again! Hope this helps!
I’m also diabetic.
Those insoles should help a lot. I have a neuroma, which has been treated somewhat, but it’s still there. I buy only wide (or even extra-wide shoes when I can find them) because they help prevent any pressure or squeezing. I wear a low-heeled wide dress shoe once a year for my husband’s office party – no more high heels ever, not that I’ve ever worn them much and haven’t for many years. It’s wonderful that diabetic shoes have changed a lot. I’m so glad you are seeing a podiatrist!
I’m sorry Jo. Hey Dudes are so cute! I have problem feet too- bone spurs and plantar fasciitis and I started wearing shoes with good arch support years ago. It really does make a difference. No pain now! I love vionic for sandals and my hoka bondi 9 for athletics. Those shoes are like walking on clouds! Pretty pricey but they last and my dad always told me not to cheap out on shoes since our feet carry the weight of our whole body.
I hope you find your new shoes comfortable and your foot feels better soon!
Jo, a few years ago I went to the podiatrist thinking bunion surgery was the only thing that would help the pain in two of my toes. It was so painful to just walk. An X-ray showed how my bones were deformed and one of his suggestions was a silicone cap on my little toe. What a game changer! My little “toe cap” is always worn, with shoes, and there is no thought of surgery. I would never have guessed that simple change would make such a difference in my life. I hope your little changes make a big difference in your quality of life too.
I’m going to share a completely different foot experience. I have had flat feet all my life. As a kid I wore orthopedic shoes but my feet remained flat. As an adult I had foot surgery to remove bunions then I used orthotics in my shoes. I tried every brand that looked good but it was rare to find a shoe comfy enough to walk for miles. A few years ago I discovered Dr. Ray Clanahan at the Northwest Foot and Ankle clinic in Oregon. He has a series of very informative videos that really helped me. In particular, he says to stand on your shoes to see if your feet fit within the shoes margins. If not, you need a different size or a different shoe. Based on this, I decided to try natural shoes. These have no support, no height, and are wide in the toe. I was in love from the moment I tried my first pair. All of my shoes now are leather and all are from Softstar shoes (an employee owned company that makes the shoes in Oregon). I have been able to walk miles with no orthotic. Best of all, because they are flat to the ground, I am more stable and do not fear twisting an ankle. I am a convert. I am not sure this approach to footwear will work for you but I do believe it is worth a try for some folks. I also wear wool toe socks so my toes aren’t constricted. My feet have never been happier. I hope a tiny bit of this is helpful.
I love my Hoka Bondi sneakers.
For corns between my two smallest toes medicate corn removers were used and they worked extremely well in easily and comfortably removing layers of corn between my 2 smallest toes.
Hi Jo, years ago when I was a kid I had plantar warts. I would put castor oil in gauze and tape it to my foot. I love to pick so at night I would pick at it. It took awhile but they have never came back. I wonder if this would work for your callous.
my insurance covered everything I have needed through the foot MD office. I hope you have the same luck. at first you might not like the looks of the shoes a feels but give it time. your feet will like them.
added comment; you might want to wait to buy new shoes until you get the insoles from the doctors office. When I got my inserts, I had to get all new shoes to fit the inserts. Just a thought
For a person who always has had trouble with buying shoes a hammer toe and a raised arch after a fall. Buy mens shoes they are normally wider come in a better range of sizes and cost less than ladies. I told my sister this after sha had a fall and broke 11 bones in her foot. When she went shopping she tried on the ladies shoes too tight with the plates now in her foot so asked about the mens same style exactly and $50 cheaper,plus wider in the foot,she knows what she is doing from now on. Good luck with your foot aging sucks