What shoes will help my feet?

September 2, 2006 3:10 PM

What can I do for numbness in the balls of my feet? Over the past year, as I approach 60, I have developed what I have self-diagnosed as a form of metatarsalgia - the balls of my feet get increasingly numb during the day - possibly due to thinning of the tissues in the feet. The more flexible and cushioned the shoe, the less the problem, and cushion inserts also help. Are there shoes and/or inserts that have helped others with this specific problem?
posted by Jackson to health (13 comments total)

Do you have diabetes?

I'd see a podiatrist, they can recommend orthotics to help.
posted by gramcracker at 3:27 PM on September 2, 2006

Like gramcracker, my first thought is to see a podiatrist---feet are their specialty, after all.
posted by LeisureGuy at 3:37 PM on September 2, 2006

Oh, Jeez Loweez- I jumped in here just to suggest that you go see a podiatrist, and somebody already suggested it. Dang.


Anyway--I have foot problems, and I tried to deal with them on my own (various shoe inserts and exercises and whatnot) and ended up making things worse. Cortizone shots between the toes=NOT A FUN THING.

So, yeah--go see a podiatrist.
posted by mountain_william at 4:12 PM on September 2, 2006

Yeah, check with a podiatrist.
Mine is due to a pinched nerve in the back. But a podiatrist would be a good place to start.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 4:40 PM on September 2, 2006

I'm sure that Jackson has already considered seeing a doctor. The question was about shoe insoles.
posted by Hildago at 5:32 PM on September 2, 2006

(or inserts, which I don't have any experience with)
posted by Hildago at 5:32 PM on September 2, 2006

Yeah, the question was about shoe inserts. I got some, and ended up making the situation worse. I advise medical attention, but if he/she/they insist on self-medicating:

Over-the-counter shoe inserts=total crapshoot.

Gel insoles are mostly benign, but may just mask symptoms of something that'll mess your feet up permanently.

AVOID any insert that purports to support the arch unless it's MADE BY A PODIATRIST TO FIT YOUR OWN FOOT. Shoes that have built-in arch support shoud be well-fitted and non-constricting, and the arch support should support your arch without modifying it.

Buy shoes at LEAST 2X/year. More if you can afford it, or if you're on your feet a lot. DO NOT BUY CHEAP SHOES.

I'm SHOUTING occasionally because my feet hurt, and they're gonna hurt for the rest of my life.
posted by mountain_william at 7:26 PM on September 2, 2006

After over a year of sore foot problems and ankle swelling (on just the left leg) and worsening ankle pain, I went to a podiatrist. He was worthless.

First I got a cortisone shot (note that you can't keep continually getting cortisone shots) and he gave me these temporary inserts for my shoes shoes (they last about 6 months).

The cortisone helped in the short term, the inserts were OK, but over time they became less effective and I thought they might even be exacerbating the problem.

The podiatrist proposed more involved solutions like like surgery or staying off my foot using crutches or an immobilizing cast or physical therapy etc.

I disliked the guy in general, we had words, I took my xrays and left for good.

I suffered on some more and then before looking for a new doctor, I finally decided to get some new shoes. I regularly wear good quality running shoes (I don't run) because they're comfortable. I usually wear Asics.

Well I went to Super Runner Sports in Manhattan, told them my complaints, got a new pair of Brooks running shoes (at the dude's suggestion) with even more padding than the Asics. I think the Brooks also have less heel height than the Asics.

Guess what? My problems disappeared. The pain was gone.

So my suggestion is to try a pair of comfy running shoes with LOTS lots padding on the bottom. Go to a good running shoe store, not kmart and the like.

Good luck.
posted by bim at 7:45 PM on September 2, 2006

Thanks to all for the comments. No, I'm not diabetic and have never had problems with my feet. Yes, I'm considering a podiatrist. However, from what I've researched on line, thinning of the tissue/pads on the ball of the foot as one ages is mentioned as a common cause of ball of foot problems, so I thought I might find others who have experienced this and solved the problem with shoes and/or inserts that replace the natural cushioning the foot has lost.
posted by Jackson at 8:09 PM on September 2, 2006

The reason they are suggesting is podiatrist is that what you're describing could also be the type of neuropathy often associated with the onset of adult diabetes (etc.).
posted by RavinDave at 8:42 PM on September 2, 2006

I like Rockports and New Balance, as a tall guy who weights 220 lbs. Also, for generic insoles, "superfeet" get rave reviews.

minor threadjack:

I've got numbness in my left foot only, and my blood sugar is fine. I'm forty. It's numb to the point that I had a piece of string stuck between my toes and couldn't feel it, but it is surface numbness. The last time I went to a podiatrist he sold me a generic insole that wasn't covered by my insurance. Do I get a pedicure and thin down the calluses? Any idea what could cause loss of feeling in one foot? It doesn't seem to change based on shoes that I wear, and it's concentrated around my toes, mostly. Also, my left foot is slightly smaller than my right.
posted by craniac at 9:23 PM on September 2, 2006

I was suggesting a podiatrist because they can rule out anything serious, and should know what to put under your feet if anything will help. I'm about your age, and mine's from changes in the back as I age. They think. (craniac: It's only one foot.)
That said, I had plantar fasciitis this year, and the doctor who happened to look at it (not a podiatrist) said it was OK to try the generic orthotics off the counter at the drug store, and they worked so well for me it went away, and most of the numbness has also gone, so I couldn't tell you if that had anything to do with it or not.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 12:51 AM on September 3, 2006 [1 favorite]

It's not identical, but I tried to get away with new ski boots last year without buying custom insoles and had terrible problems with pain and numbness. Half an hour in my boots on the hill (not in the shop where it's warm) meant unbearable pain.

A few bucks more bought me custom insoles and the problems went away. Completely.

The difficulty for someone new to all of this is that OTC solutions from Dr Scholl or even generic (not custom) Superfeet aren't really on a linear progression down from custom insoles or (even better) proper orthotics. So you can't really say, "oh that was 20% better, a custom job will be 80% better" - it doesn't work that way really.

Orthotics or custom insoles are not about the padding - they are about fixing the shape and position of your foot in your shoe or boot. Doing that is very important - and should solve your problems (barring some other medical condition).

Make sure you're supporting your instep (one arch) and your metatarsal arch (many forget this part of it).
posted by mikel at 6:21 AM on September 3, 2006