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.
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.
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.
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.
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Photo credit: Pandere Shoes
