Post-op shoes do help

[cjsmith]

OK, I'm definitely having LESS pain while walking... as long as I wear my post-op shoes.

The $64,000 question: Why?

• The post-op shoes have absolutely no arch support of any kind -- the inner surface is flat as a board.
• The post-op shoes put a lot more of my weight on my heel because they are tilted.
• The post-op shoes are kind of cushiony inside.
• The post-op shoes are missing a big chunk under the toes.
• The post-op shoes are very rigid, not allowing my toes to bend during my stride.
• Something else I haven't thought of yet.

Obviously the next step is to isolate these things and figure out which one(s) are helping. I hope it's not item two, 'cause that's probably the one I can't sustain (these shoes will cause heel damage if I use them too long).

1 - Walk barefoot on a wood or tile floor. This HURTS! OK, 1 alone is not good.
3 & 5 - My very rigid sandals have two pair of squishy insoles, which *improved* things but sure didn't fix them. OK, 3 and 5 alone are not enough.

1 & 3 - A pair of cushiony flip-flops? Walk barefoot on pile carpet?
1 & 4 - Japanese geta?
1 & 4 & 5 - Japanese geta with an added strap across the instep?
1 & 3 & 4 & 5- Doctor a bunch of cushiony flip-flops? Geta with gel insoles?

edit: After 15 minutes of walking on pile carpet, I ache but not much. Hrm. Pacing around one's living room for 15 minutes gets boring. :-)

Comments

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

hrm, i wonder... adding to the above, would making some sort of cut-out area for the spot that ouchy help even more? like the Dr Scholl's Corn Cushions (http://www.drscholls.com/product.aspx?prodid=48), but bigger and probably sturdier.

what's the verdict on the pressure-wrapping you'd done pre-op? still allowed? still work?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

The orthotics I wore pre-op do indeed have a cut-out. So does one pair of thick cushiony flip-flops I made pre-op. I haven't tried the orthotics post-op 'cause I can't get into any of my old shoes, but the flip-flops are... better'n nothing. I wear them in the shower.

The pressure wrapping is probably still allowed. At least, it probably will be after I stop having to wrap my feet with Coban 24/7. One more week!