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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Hambo on 07:43:03, 11/11/20

Title: My poor feet
Post by: Hambo on 07:43:03, 11/11/20
Morning all....new to this site but I am in serious need of help
Walk every weekend with my hubby in North Wales but after walking Y Garn during the County lockdown in Wales, followed by 10 miles from my front door during the Firebreak my feet were throbbing with pain.
Dr. Google has diagnosed Morton’s Neuroma and I am devastated. I have had to wear walking shoes to work as heels are out of the question.
Determined to walk Cwm Egiau last Saturday I rooted out my old Salomons, put a gel insole in and managed to walk 7 miles but this thing is not going away.
I would appreciate any advice, is it worth going to the doctor if I can get appointment ? Should I rest up and not walk (this is the worst case scenario for me😢) Is it worth visiting a podiatrist and bypassing the doctor ?
And finally I have £200 sitting in my bank waiting for a new pair of winter walking boots, so any advice on a ladies wide fitting boot would be appreciated as I have sat googling for wide fitting boots for 3 weeks
T.I.A

Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 07:51:54, 11/11/20
A podiatrist may be able to help with inserts. It sounds like you may need to rest to give the injury some time to recover. Altberg boots come in 5 width fittings from extra narrow through to extra wide. £200 is around the price for a pair of their boots. The list price for mine was £220, but I got a 15% discount in our local store (Craigdon).
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: kinkyboots on 09:54:45, 11/11/20
These old threads may be worth a read

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=35213.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=35213.0)

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=39038.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=39038.0)

http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=37390.msg530190#msg5301 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=37390.msg530190#msg530190)

Unless you are prepared to travel further for specialist help after lockdown ends such as that offered at Whalley Warm & Dry https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/ (https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/) you appear to be limited to Gibb Outdoors in Wales as an Altberg Retailer https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/id/43/gibb-outdoorsbr-brecon/ (https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/id/43/gibb-outdoorsbr-brecon/)

I would recommend you look at the following Altberg boots

2-3 Season

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/fremington-lady1 (https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/fremington-lady1)

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/malham (https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/malham)

3-Season

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/tethera-lady1 (https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/tethera-lady1)

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/nordkapp (https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/nordkapp)


Other wider fitting boots in which may be worth looking at are as follows but shop around for best prices and do not be tempted to buy without getting properly measured and trying them on.
Meindl Meran Lady GTX https://www.tauntonleisure.com/meindl-womens-meran-gtx-brown.html
Meindl Bernina Lady 2 GTX https://www.jackson-sports.com/en/gb/Meindl-Bernina-Lady-2-GTX/m-11153.aspx
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:24:05, 11/11/20
An example of wide fitting boots, if you need them, are Keen Targee III's. I owned a pair (like wearing soft gloves) and they are spacious around the toe area and have a really good 'bumpers' as well. very good if you want to minimise toe shocks.

Another suggestion is to look up and read about your condition, comparing and contrasting the knowledge that's available online can be very useful before you go to see a doctor. I'm personally always of the belief to have some knowledge beforehand because when it matters you can then ask good questions of your doctor.
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Islandplodder on 10:49:36, 11/11/20
I had a similar problem last year, and after a lot of dithering went to the doctor.  He thought it might be Morton's neuroma, and suggested giving up wandering round the house barefoot or wearing slippers, and try to stick to wearing trainers in the house, (he said he had used running shoes when he had a similar pain) and walking shoes and boots  outside.  It didn't get any worse, but it didn't really get any better either, so I went back, and was referred to a podiatrist.  They diagnosed arthritis in a toe joint which was pushing too much strain onto the rest of the foot, and made me some insoles. These help a lot , though actually seem to me much the same as superfeet in appearance and effect.  I think it's worth going to a doctor or self referring to a podiatrist, I may have been lucky, but I live in a remote bit of Scotland and got an appointment surprisingly quickly.  I am wondering whether the assorted sciatica like pains which are assailing me at the moment are a result of my gait changing to compensate for the foot, and now being pushed back to normal, which suggests it might be worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later.  The key in my case seems to be lots of arch support.

My son who has wide feet swears by Hanwags, if that's any help. 
 
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:04:59, 11/11/20
One of the things I have done regularly over the years is to keep an eye on the wear patterns on my boots and running shoes. Once I started to notice that the wear was always happening to the outer edge of both boots I realised I need to tilt my walking style back to 90 degrees. I just cut one old trainer insert down the middle lengthways and put one piece under each of my Sorboththane inserts, it tilted my feet just enough. My boots and running wear shoes now wear evenly and I also walk and run more comfortably as well.

 
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: rambling oldie on 11:37:20, 11/11/20
Any nasty foot problems, ALWAYS go to your GP.  If necessary he'll refer you to an NHS podiatrist, they're not out to sell anything to you. I can personally vouch for this approach.
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Hambo on 21:03:26, 11/11/20
Thank you all for the replies, I haven’t worked out yet how to reply individually but really appreciate the feedback. I have been in agony at work today so it’s looking more like I will have to seek professional help.
So glad the weather looks to be rubbish this weekend, it might help with staying in with my feet up.
Googling walking boot suggestions...I did have my feet measured in Cotswold World in Betws Y Coed and it seems my feet have grown a size. I bought some Hanwags but took them back as the tongue was just so stiff (hubby loves Hanwags and couldn’t understand why I didn’t like them )
  Altbergs get great reviews but not sure where I would have to go to get measured ?  
Currently sat here wearing Injinji toe separator socks...the things you do to be able to walk in the great outdoors 👍🥾  

Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: kinkyboots on 08:09:06, 12/11/20
Altbergs get great reviews but not sure where I would have to go to get measured ?

If you've been to Cotswold Outdoor in Betws Y Coed and assuming you live fairly local to that give The Outdoor Shop High Street, Llanberis, LL55 4SU a try. They should at least be able to measure your feet using Altberg's measuring system although not being an Altberg Premier Retailer they may not have a wide range of Altberg boots for you to try on. If that's the case they may be able to order specific models and sizes of Altberg boots in for you to try or you will unfortunately have to travel further afield.

https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/id/1/the-outdoor-shopbr-llanberis/ (https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/id/1/the-outdoor-shopbr-llanberis/)

https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists (https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists)

The main problem for you is finding a specialist bootfitter (not a high street retail chain) who can also offer you specialist help, advice and solutions for your possible Morton’s Neuroma which is why I recommended Whalley Warm & Dry earlier

This link from the Whalley Warm & Dry website may help narrow down and identify your specific foot condition https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/foot-conditions/ (https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/foot-conditions/) 
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Birdman on 10:35:52, 12/11/20
Others have said it already but go to your GP first and they may refer you to a  podiatrist. As far as I know, Morton's neuroma is usually caused by shoes that are too narrow. So find shoes with a wider toe box.  
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Hambo on 13:43:29, 12/11/20
If you've been to Cotswold Outdoor in Betws Y Coed and assuming you live fairly local to that give The Outdoor Shop High Street, Llanberis, LL55 4SU a try. They should at least be able to measure your feet using Altberg's measuring system although not being an Altberg Premier Retailer they may not have a wide range of Altberg boots for you to try on. If that's the case they may be able to order specific models and sizes of Altberg boots in for you to try or you will unfortunately have to travel further afield.

 
Brilliant thank you Kinkyboots....usually in Snowdonia most weekends so will check it out 😊
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Hambo on 17:25:18, 14/11/20
Just in case anyone reads this thread because they have a Morton’s Neuroma, I bought some Oboz boots from Llanberis today...lots of room in the toe box and they feel comfy straight away and not pinching my toes. I tried on loads of boots today but well pleased with Oboz...lots of styles and colours to choose from as well. Absolutely loved loved loved the Salewa...cracking boot but pinched my toes; would highly recommend if you don’t need wide fit boot 🥾
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: kinkyboots on 19:49:03, 14/11/20
I'm glad you managed to get sorted with comfortable boots.

I've also got the Oboz Sawtooth Low B-Dry Shoes and the Oboz Sawtooth Mid B-Dry Boots and use them in the dryer summer months. I've got narrow feet but I find them well fitting and extremely comfortable and I like the extra wiggle room in the toe box.

I'm beginning to think your problem was caused by wearing boots which were too narrow for your feet rather than actually having Morton’s Neuroma? If the problem reappears you might want to consider giving some matatarsal domes a try and fitting them onto your existing insoles or better still buying some replacement insoles with matatarsal domes already built into them. They're designed to take the pressure off the metatarsal area of your foot.

https://www.shoeinsoles.co.uk/metatarsal-domes.html (https://www.shoeinsoles.co.uk/metatarsal-domes.html)
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: Hambo on 20:51:06, 14/11/20
I still have the pain but after resting up and only wearing my Salomon trainers to work and wearing Injinji toe socks it has eased a lot. I bought some of those pads but haven’t tried them yet, I wasn’t sure where to put them tbh. I have gone half size in the Oboz .... Tried lots of full on leather boots but I just hate the feel of them. I actually went in to the shop you recommended in Llanberis for the  Altbergs and saw the Oboz, tried them on and immediately loved them. We’ll see how I get on tomorrow, fingers crossed (and not toes !!)
Title: Re: My poor feet
Post by: kinkyboots on 08:22:02, 15/11/20
Just google "fitting metatarsal domes" or "fitting metatarsal pads" and watch a few YouTube videos which will show you how to fit them correctly.

A couple of things to remember:-

If they're the teardrop shape type they must be fitted the right way round.

Crucially they must be fitted in the correct position.

They will probably feel strange and it may take some time for your feet to adjust to them.

If they work for you it may be good idea to buy a multipack and fit them in all your footwear with removable insoles.