Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Leave Foot Pain Behind - Tips for Happy Feet as We Age!


Like many people in their 60s and 70s, I suffered from foot pain a few years ago. My doctor diagnosed me with Plantar Fasciitis and sent me to an orthopedic doctor who fit me for a shoe insert.  When the custom inserts left me limping around, I went to a shoe store which promoted their own shoe inserts.  Even after going through breaking-in periods and trying my best to make the inserts work, I was still in terrible pain.  I felt as if I was walking gingerly and painfully everywhere I went.
After another consultation with my doctor, she suggested that most foot problems were due to poor shoe choices.  I realized that prior to my diagnosis with Plantar Fasciitis, I had been wearing a variety of slip-on shoes with little or no arch support.  I began a quest to find shoes which gave me better support and, within a few months of buying a selection of supportive, comfortable shoes with wider bases, lower heels, and better arch support, my foot pain gradually disappeared. (Ad)  

Today, I belong to a group which walks at least 100 miles a month, and my Plantar Fasciitis seems to have faded into the distant past.  I now understand how important it is to wear quality shoes which are designed to cushion, support and protect my feet.
In addition to conditions like Plantar Fasciitis, some of my friends have complained about a variety of different foot problems including ingrown toenails, bunions, blisters and swollen feet.  Several of them have had foot surgery, with varying degrees of success.  Personally, I wish all of us had been choosing better shoes when we were young so we were not experiencing sore feet, painful inserts, and surgeries as retirees.
Consequently, when I was approached by the Pandere Shoe Company to include a guest post on my blog about their attractive, sporty orthopedic shoes, I thought the information they are providing would be beneficial to those readers who may need to take a fresh look at how they are treating their feet.  I am not connected with the company and I do not receive any commissions or other benefit from the purchase of their shoes.  I just hope that readers will take a hard look at the shoes in their own closets and decide whether they need to make some changes in order to have happier feet! 

Check out the helpful information they have provided about common foot problems and what to look for in a shoe, in the post below.

How to Keep Retired Feet Happy

by Pandere Shoes
Now that you have finally reached the long-awaited milestone of retirement, nothing stands between you and everything you never had enough free time for – travel, golf, gardening, maybe even ballroom dancing.
Nothing, that is, except your tired, aching feet.
Foot problems are a common complaint among retirees. Like every other part of the body, our feet suffer from the effects of aging too:
·        Weakened tendons and ligaments cause the arch to drop, making feet wider and flatter.
·        Medical conditions like diabetes and arthritis, or poor circulation, can cause feet to swell, making it difficult to find supportive, comfortable shoes.
·        Corns, calluses, hammertoes, heel spurs, and bunions caused by years of squeezing feet into ill-fitting shoes make getting through the day difficult.
Wearing ill-fitting or overly tight shoes is all too common among retirees. Hot spots, blisters, abrasions, or ingrown toenails can occur where the shoe rubs against the skin or pinches the toes or heel. Many find themselves trying to remedy the situation by buying shoes a size or two too big. But that can cause a cascade of other problems, including balance problems as your feet slide around the large shoe.
The result? Pain and discomfort, which make participating in even the simplest activities unpleasant.
The best thing you can do to keep your feet happy is to pay attention to the aches and pains and give your feet the care they need. Regular visits with your healthcare provider, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition that makes you more prone to foot issues, can help identify potential problems early. Exercises that stretch your feet and leg muscles are excellent for overall foot health.
Investing in comfortable, supportive shoes specifically designed to accommodate your feet can also be an important step in the battle to keep aching feet happy. 
Key features to look for when choosing shoes to accommodate aging feet include:
·        Adjustability and expandability
·        Removable insoles
·        Support
·        Non-slip bottoms
·        High-quality, durable materials
A host of orthopedic shoes on the market offer many of these features, but a new shoe company launched in 2018 has revolutionized the comfort shoe for retirees.
Pandere, a woman-owned shoe company based in Alaska, has developed the world’s first stylish, expandable shoe carefully engineered to accommodate a wide range of foot issues. Each of Pandere’s styles integrate a revolutionary expansion system, including adjustable toggles and Velcro closures, which allow the shoe to expand up to three width sizes. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, Pandere’s shoes work hard to keep you safe and keep your feet happy with:
·        A patented expansion system that expands with your foot throughout the day
·        No-tie toggle system for adjustability in key areas
·        A contoured, removable footbed that offers comfort, arch support and heel cushion
·        A wider shoe base for a roomier fit that won’t pinch, squeeze or rub
·        Anti-slip, recycled natural rubber latex bottoms
·        Supportive durable nubuk leather and neoprene
·        High-quality European craftsmanship
A few of the conditions Pandere shoes are specifically designed for include:
Foot Swelling

If you have a medical condition which makes your feet swell, such as lymphedema or diabetes, or if your feet have grown flatter and wider with age, try the Saturday shoe. Built on a wider last and bottom for an even roomier toe box and midfoot, the Saturday shoe expands to an EEE width size for women and EE for men. Available in sizes 4-13 for men or 6-15 for women. For ankle swelling, try the Rodeo shoe - available in women’s sizes 6-12, with expansion from a B up to an E width. 

(Disclosure: Some of the articles in this blog may contain Amazon affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, the author does NOT receive a commission from the Pandere Shoe Company.)

Bunions

Pandere worked intensively with customers to design a shoe specifically for those suffering from bunions. The Rodeo shoe offers soft, supportive neoprene panels at the big toe joint that expand and provide extra wiggle room for those with bunions. Available in women’s sizes 6-12, the Rodeo expands from a B up to an E width. 
Extra Wide Feet

All of Pandere’s styles expand up to three width sizes and are perfect for anyone with wide feet. Consult the Pandere sizing chart or try the Fit Finder to determine which style is right for you. While the Saturday is the widest shoe Pandere offers, expanding up to an EEE width size for women and EE for men, all of Pandere’s styles cater to wide feet.
If your feet are slowing you down, there is hope! To learn more about Pandere Shoes, visit them online or reach out to them anytime at hello@pandereshoes.com
(The links in the above four paragraphs are ads for the Pandere Shoe Company).

If you are interested in learning more about solutions to common medical issues as we age, Medicare, Social Security, where to retire, financial planning and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.
You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com
Photo credit:  Pandere Shoes

2 comments:

  1. I don't know this brand, but I do know foot problems. I was in pain all day for years. I finally asked my doctor to send me to the podiatrist. It turns out my little, wide feet are not the issue. It's my extremely high arches. I have no fat left near the "ball" of my foot. I was walking on bone. No wonder my feet ached. I now wear sensible shoes with arch supports. I've had no foot pain for years now. Should have done this decades earlier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your experience. Many of us develop foot pain as we get older and the key to recovery seems to be having the right shoes. It may take a little trial and error to discover which shoes work best for us but, once we do, it can be life-changing!

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