Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips shoes

I can't walk without my orthotics.

I'm lucky enough that insurance covered most of the cost, they are very expensive.

i love my crocs too. i wear them summer and winter (with socks). i have also purchased ugg boots. they are great in the winter. they are so soft and keep my feet and ankles so warm. i am glad to hear that someone else gets relief from crocs. try some ugg boots you can by them on ebay, however, be careful some people are selling boots that are not really uggs but say they are.

My main problem is when it's cold I don't want to wear any shoes without socks. The cold just kills my ankles! Then it creeps up to the rest of me.

The part of Washington I live in rains---cold rain--- a lot. I went searching for something that wouldn't get my feet wet, can hold up to rain, and keeps me warm and toasty with plenty of support.

I found leather uggs. There hard to find. I believe it's the "brooks" style. They have wonderful lining, and great support. Mine are dark brown leather, and have held up great. I wear them constantly for 3 years and they're even better now. They even look good with khakis for work every now and again if I'm having a tough day.

Also... look at palladium. I think I spelled that right? They have great flats with elastic straps on the top. The flats have great support. Plus they come in super cute patterns. I always get compliments on mine. They don't look too stylish on the website, but they are so cute and go with everything. I've never found any other flats that have such great support and fit with being cute. I found some dark brown ones at DSW on clearance for $10 so you may want to check there (dsw.com I believe)

Aly

Try 1803 from thenaturalshoestore.com - really comfortable & stylish. Also camper.com
Hope your feet feel happier soon!

i retract anything negative i might have said about crocs.
now that mine are broken in, they don't hurt my feet anymore.
i don't wear them for long walk abouts,
but to have something at work to slip into and out of for short errands around the building, they seem to be a good alternative.

however, the breaking in period was shear torture! thank goodness that's behind me.

sue

I wear colorados they are great, admittedly they are old and have formed to my feet but I will be reluctant to let them go!

Crocs help for me a bit.
so do gel heel cups.
Has anyone had cortersoine injections in there feet, if so did that help? My doctor says thats the next step.
He even mentioned an injection where they take your own blood and inject it into your foot to stimulate healing, cant remember the name of it but has anyone had that?

i bought the good heel cups in a hospital pharmacy and they made my feet worse. anything that seems to change the pronation of my foot makes my feet unhappy.

i've been able to avoid cortisone injections in my feet, but i've had 3 cortisone injections elsewhere and they've been nothing short of miraculous.
so if it comes to that, they should help, i'd imagine.

have you had cortisone injections elsewhere? did they help you?

as for the second kind of injection, haven't heard of that.....

i've heard of prolotherapy where they inject saline solution,
and the solution is supposed to allow the tendons to heal themselves
and get stronger: http://www.prolotherapy.com/
but i have no idea if its scientifically well founded or pseudoscience......
no idea if it works or is quackery.

to avoid any kind of injection to my feet, when they've been really bad, i do a lot of contrast baths for the feet (alternating hot and cold water, very helpful), use a heavy dose of epsom salt (magnesium salt, don't know if that is helpful), try to stay off my feet as much as possible, wear the "boots" to bed to keep my feet from relaxing (don't know how helpful that's been to me, but others find that very helpful), stretch my calves a lot (very helpful), and strengthen my feet with excercise (also very helpful, but i must do it carefully or i can pull the tendon-ligament Plantar Fascia or tendon-ligament on the top of the foot if not careful). hope this helps.

sue

hmm interesting.
I havent had any cortisone anywhere else.
Yeah I try and stay off my feet as much as possible and that seems to help, the night splints Ive found dont really help they seem to cramp up other parts of my legs.

I'm wondering if shoes made of bubble wrap would feel good....

When I find a pair of shoes that are comfy.. I hold on to them with all I've got! LOL! funny thing is I have a pair of thick-heeled 3 inch boots that are pretty comfy!!!