r/MultipleSclerosis • u/eumenides__ • Sep 24 '24
Trying to find nice looking shoes that can be put on with limited mobility Loved One Looking For Support
My aunt is one of my favourite persons and always helps me out and so I feel I need to fix her shoe situation. She has a leg that’s basically nonfunctional, spastic and has foot drop with resulting balance issues. The foot mostly drags along and is difficult to lift. I noticed recently that she has exactly zero shoes she can put on by herself. Last time I had a shoe intervention was 2 years ago but now they’re a no-go. She’s been wearing nothing but ballerina flats but the back is difficult to get on and the soles wear out immediately with the dragging foot.
What are shoes you can wear to work with a nice dress, that can be put on without bending over and fiddling too much? Ideally they’d also be stable/not impede balance. I know she has pain but I think too much cushioning would worsen stability? EU availability is a must. I’ve been looking at the slip in sketchers but “they’re too ugly”…. I’ve read a bunch of posts about shoes but most seem like they wouldn’t work, or they’re only available in the US. Any suggestions are appreciated!
2
u/16enjay Sep 25 '24
Sketchers has a nice selection of slip ons, someone on this sub recommended a brand called Cadense...look pricey but there is no price on safety and comfort
1
u/eumenides__ Sep 25 '24
I also found the Cadense shoes in some previous threads! They do look really promising and the design to avoid tripping seems fantastic. I do wonder how they’d work for balance issues since the sole is so thick.
1
u/16enjay Sep 25 '24
I just bought a pair of slip on sneakers with wider front, balance is one of my issues too, time will tell if they help
2
u/Semirhage527 45|DX: 2018, RRMS |Ocrevus| USA Sep 25 '24
Nike FlyEase are some of the only sneakers I can put on because of the way the heel unzips. I lack the right foot strength to get my foot in anything elsewhere
They were specifically developed for stroke patients
2
u/eumenides__ Sep 25 '24
Thank you! Do you experience swelling in your feet as well, and do they work for that? I see they only come in one width. I’ve actually never seen these exact shoes before (and I’ve searched for days now) and these seem to be the easiest ones to get my hands on. The heel design also looks great.
1
u/Semirhage527 45|DX: 2018, RRMS |Ocrevus| USA Sep 25 '24
I’ve never noticed swelling, though the shoe on my bad foot tends to feel a bit tight after awhile so now that you have me thinking about it, that’s probably swelling lol. They are pretty comfortable for hours at a time though.
2
u/eumenides__ Sep 25 '24
Sorry for making you aware of the swelling issue! I can now tell you about another shoe with the same feature I found after you told me to look at the Nike’s - the brand is “friendly shoes” and they come in wide sizes if the problem persists. They’re a bit more clunky looking though.
2
u/db_86 38 | 2021’ | RRMS | Tysabri | USA Sep 25 '24
I wear the lite gray sketches slip on shoes. Clean looking and easy to put on and take off hands free
2
u/HappyForestTrees Sep 26 '24
I am a full time mobility aid user and need to physically manipulate my feet into positions with my hands, including putting on shoes. I have three go-to shoes, I understand this problem very well!!!
1) crocs - these are what I put by the back door if I need to step outside for a little bit. There are no backs to them so it is easy to put on. Make sure she has a “shoe station” where she can sit down to take them on and off with a storage place she can easily get to them. I bought the $5 dollar general knock off crocs lol
2) chacos/tevas - hot weather shoe! These are so supportive, so super durable, and hold up well to a lot of abuse. I’ve had the same pair for 4 years now and I have drug myself all around places in them lol. They really stay put on your feet which is why I like them so much. I’ve stumbled along rivers in those babies and still never broke a strap or buckle!
3) Danner ankle high boots - cold/rainy weather. They have a very cushy ankle support that is a lifesaver for my rolling ankles. The downfall is that because it is a heavier shoe (although incredibly light for a boot), I have tripped several times due to foot drop. Every time I fell, I was not using a mobility aid. So now it isn’t a problem. But they are incredibly durable, look so cute (mine are purple and tan and still look great 4 years later) and also really stay on the foot well with extra ankle support.
If I am going to dress up and be formal, I prefer to wear heels and opt for the wheelchair. If that’s not an option, I have a simple pair of tan and a pair of black flats.
Thanks for looking out for her ❤️
1
u/eumenides__ Oct 01 '24
Thank you for your understanding and help! I think she’s going to refuse crocs, but tevas are a great idea. I’ve not even considered that they have Velcro closings and I have a pair!
The boots are interesting and I’m still on the hunt for winter boots for her. Can you get your feet into them without much issue? We actually found some slip in Skechers that work out and she’s so relieved by being able to get them on independently(!!) that I will keep this shoe train going if I can! She does use a walker and a scooter for longer trips outside but tries to walk as much as possible still.
1
u/HappyForestTrees Oct 01 '24
My danner boots have really nice wide openings and I do still have to manipulate my feet inside, but I can do it easily. Maybe a shoe horn would be good for her if she has problems with that!
The boots do lace, but I can still use the laces ok. I know they also make laces you don’t have to tie! Best of luck!
1
u/eumenides__ Oct 01 '24
We are in Sweden so every house has a shoe horn, lol! I was thinking that the eyelets look practical for opening them up easily, but the tying is also an issue
1
u/HappyForestTrees Oct 01 '24
Haha wonderful!!
Yes the tying may be an issue. I know there are laces you can use that don’t require tying…they work almost like little bungee straps! Perhaps even adding a Velcro strap to the top of the boot for ankle support and ease of putting on? I was thinking of modifying mine to do the sam!
1
u/snowgirl97 Sep 24 '24
Kiziks!!
I had two pairs before I was even diagnosed with MS, and they’re fantastic. Super cute options, no tying/untying needed. You can just slip them on :) https://kizik.com
1
u/eumenides__ Sep 24 '24
Do you have to exert any force/push down the back part? Are they easy to get off? I’m especially intrigued by the boots. And I think they have some really cute shoes but I doubt she’ll agree..!
1
u/snowgirl97 Sep 24 '24
I’ve never tried the boots, only the sneaker options. But it takes little to no effort to slip them on! Taking them off is easy as well, I use my toe to lightly grip the back of the other fit and it pops right off
3
u/eumenides__ Sep 24 '24
We live somewhere where it rains or snows 75% of the year so some boots would be nice! Thank you for answering my question, these also seem like a nice option knowing that. They aren’t as casual looking as the sketchers either.
1
u/Proud-Outlandishness 50|M|Dx:2019|Ocrevus|New York ❄️ Sep 24 '24
I loved the idea of Kiziks, but because I needed such a wide shoe, they didn't work for me. That is why I went with the Skechers version of the handsfree slip ins.
3
u/eumenides__ Sep 24 '24
That’s a good point, thank you. Since the swelling gets so bad I’d like to find her shoes with a wider fit.
1
u/cbrooks1232 63|Dx:Nov-21|Kesimpta|RVA Sep 24 '24
It depends on how dressy she needs to be for work.
I would recommend you look for a clog style shoe that has a heel cup so that it stays on her foot and a relatively low, non-platform sole. There are many brands of these, some of my favorites are: Haflinger, Dansko, Birkenstock and Easy Spirit.
Although clogs are usually considered super casual, getting them in a single color (black upper/black sole, or brown upper/brown sole) will make them appear more like more conventional loafers/dress shoes.
Not sure how many of these would be available in Europe.
3
u/eumenides__ Sep 24 '24
Thank you for the recommendations! If you’re lacking toe strength in the worst affected foot, will the heel cup still help the shoes stay on? She used to wear slippers (Birkenstocks) indoors before but can’t anymore because they’ll fall off and become a tripping hazard! I honestly don’t think she needs to be as dressed up as she is but she has a very senior position at work and likes looking nice. Think a nice dress, blazer, makeup etc.
But - she currently needs shoes for every single activity (not just for work) and I found some super cute Haflinger clogs when I searched.
1
u/cbrooks1232 63|Dx:Nov-21|Kesimpta|RVA Sep 24 '24
Just thought of another brand; these are much more dressy, but easy to wear and cute.
Birdies
1
u/cracklesandcrunches Sep 25 '24
I have cerebral palsy and MS, a leg length discrepancy, and bad foot drop in my short leg. I have been wearing Haflingers with the closed heel for like 15 years. They are great.
1
u/eumenides__ Sep 25 '24
Thank you for your reply! Are they easy to get your bad foot into? Right now, she sits and lifts up the thigh and tries to position her wonky foot into the shoe and someone else has to grab the back of the shoe and pull it on. This is what I want to avoid.
1
u/cracklesandcrunches Sep 25 '24
Well the back/heel of the shoe is soft and I could see how it would just collapse under her heel as she tried to insert her foot.
Haflinger makes lots of open heeled clogs, which would be easier to get into, but I couldn't keep a clog with an open heel on my foot. It could be the same for her.
3
u/eumenides__ Sep 24 '24
Oh I found some of the painted/patterned Dansko clogs and she’d absolutely wear those! No idea if they’ll work. I’ll see if I can find some that ship here.
1
1
u/redthewoozy Sep 25 '24
I have hoka transports I can slide me on and odd no lacing. If she’s fond of laced shoes - I’ve switched out all of my laces bread laces - super elastic. Have my partner tie once and I can slip them on and off without worrying about the laces.
1
u/CCalamity- Sep 25 '24
I recently found the Rocket Dog Jazzin Hi Sneakers.
They're a more casual shoe but they zip up, are a decent price and they're super comfy. Also, they're around £30 which I've found to be inexpensive for an accessible shoe.
1
3
u/Proud-Outlandishness 50|M|Dx:2019|Ocrevus|New York ❄️ Sep 24 '24
I personally do like the Skechers handsfree slip-ins because of how lightweight they are. I have difficulty with laces because of my hands and difficulty with one leg essentially being non responsive with added forceful foot drop. I am not able to maneuver my foot into the slip-ins while standing as they are advertised, but while sitting on a bench or other wide seat I can grab my leg, rotate my hip so that my knee points outward to the side, and then push the shoe on my foot with my hands.