Falling is an issue for neuropathy sufferers and recent studies suggest that it is one of the major effects of quality of life for neuropathy sufferers. Gait or walking is a coordinated action of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. The coordination of muscle contraction, joint movement, and sensory perception allows the human body to move in the environment. Balance is the ability to sit, stand, or walk safely without postural deviation, falling, or reaching for external items for support. Balance, like gait, is a coordinated response of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems, as well as vision and sensory perception. Vestibular and cortico-cerebellar levels in the brain are also involved in maintaining stability. This can often be a huge issue for sufferers of peripheral neuropathy as the condition often can effect both motor and sensory nerves; which, in turn directly effects our gait and balance. Now if you are a new sufferer, it is a great suggestion to have your physician prescribe physical therapy (PT) where they can give you a gait and balance assessment to see where you are in your strength, balance, and if you need a mobility aid such as a walker or cane. However, before even this, you want to realize that your footwear choice can also be vital to prevent falls and find as much comfort as possible with your condition. Again, we want to find that quality in our new lives. With most sufferers walking with no shoes or slippers is a big NO, whether because of pain, balance, or a combination. On a personal note, it is also dangerous to go without some type of shoe or slipper because of our sensory issues. I cut my foot once and preceded to bleed all over the house without even knowing I was cut. I will provide you links to the products we discuss below on Amazon, remember we may earn a small fee from Amazon if you end up purchasing these products which will go directly into maintaining www.neuropahty.info. Lets get started!
Socks need to be in the discussion to start. Personally, I have a timer on my feet each morning counting down how long I can stand anything to be on them whatsoever. My personal zone is about 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and then shoes and socks better be off. However, if I wear tight socks this time period gets cut in half. Even though my neuropathy is from chemotherapy, I found that non-binding diabetic socks were a life saver! I use the Creswell brand as they come in different types and different colors. They have a huge stretch to them and even though I have a wide foot, they do not bind tightly and are thicker than other diabetic socks I have found. I have both males and females now wearing these so they are a good purchase for everyone! They have white, grey, and black colors; different sizes; and crew or low-cut styles.
I have mentioned in previous articles about how cold temperatures really effect my feet as well, so I have found a great diabetic thermal sock which is also non-binding. This is now my go to weekend sock which I wear with or without shoes! Again. I have males and females now wearing these so they are a good purchase for everyone! They have the different colors seen and different sizes.
Okay on to shoes. Now I mentioned my neuropathy is due to chemotherapy so my neuropathy came on quickly and the first months were spent in agonizing pain, as well as pin and needle feelings in my feet at all times. Now while these shoes are diffidently not going to win any style awards, they were truly a life saver. The Velcro flap basically allows you to adjust the pressure you want on your total foot, they are easy to put on and take off, and give you a nice rubber sole which provided enough traction along with a cane and/or walker I was using at this time. While they are on the higher dollar side of my reviews, they are worth a try if your pain is high and your stability is needed. Some sizes and colors available.
Once you have a little more control over your condition most will start to look for a comfortable everyday shoe. Almost any neuropathy shoe review will mention the New Balance 608 (there are several versions). I found that New Balance provided my the most roll control which is huge for sufferers as it is how we normally will loose balance. While it is a low top, the collar is high enough and very cushioned so you can tie your laces tight, and get a snug fit, but it is not going to be too compressed on your foot. It is a very solid shoe and still makes up half my closet assortment. If you like them, leave it on your watch list as around holidays I have found these shoes to go on incredible sales on Amazon. Lots of sizes and colors available. As seen both for men and women.
The next shoe has been eyeopening for me as they provide all of the roll protection and have a really nice solid sole and cushion construction, but are sooooo light! Skechers have never been a popular brand where I live, but they are a secret that I have passed throughout my friends and family. Cheaper than most others as well! These are now my daily wearers and when I go to any other shoe, I find myself thinking how much more it noticeably weighs. They have memory foam insoles which is also a nice feeling. I should point out also that Skechers also have flats and mules for women who like a different style from time to time.
Again as mentioned previously, you also want to find that slipper you can transition too after you have had enough of the shoes and socks for the day. I am a huge fan of Sherpa lined items as they breath well, absorb moisture, and are a little bit less hot than wool. I also want a slipper that still provides the strong sole and slip protection. For myself there has only been one brand of slipper that has lasted more than a couple of months before coming apart and that is the L.B. Evans. They are very well made and provide different designs such as the lined ones seen here or even a moccasin type, all of which have the stronger sole and can be worn out of the house on errands. For the ladies it is back to Skechers and the BOB. I have been told these slippers are pure heaven.
Now depending on where you are in your condition, any of these options may be a good choice for you. What I would stress is things such as your shoes can indeed make a HUGE difference in your daily quality of life! Is a shoe going to take away all of the pain? Unfortunately no. However, it may prevent falls and provide you with the ability to do more tomorrow than you were able to do today! This is the key, learning to LIVE with our condition and find that new quality of life.
UPDATE
Our community talked about the shoes not being medicaid/medicare approved. The New Balance on some programs have been approved in the past. I looked into it and the New Balance 626V2 are also approved and been discussed in multiple neuropathy reviews. I have not tried these but the sole and support looks similar. They also have these for men and women.
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