Women's Shoe Recommendations with Foot Pain: Sesamoiditis

Hi Dr. Blake, I have job interviews coming up where I will be wearing suits, and I'm trying to figure out what dress shoes I can wear even though I have sesamoiditis in both feet. I saw that you have recommendations for men's shoes, but do you have any recommendations for women's shoes? Thank you! Oh! And do you mind not using my name in your blog?

Thank you!

      Dear Anonymous: Here the list we post for our patients. There of course has to be individualization due to width and volume issues. With sesamoiditis, under the big toe joint, you have to be concerned with too much heel height, although the exact amount can vary from shoe to shoe that would cause irritation. The amount of cushion in the insole or outersole is another help, too thin in this area can limit your protection. The volume in the toe box and overall width can be deal breakers, along with the softness of the toe box upper. For some shoes, like danskos the rocker bottom sole is vital, other shoes will feel great if the shoe is flexible in some instances, and stiff/rigid in other instances. If the shoe has a removable insole, alot can be accomplished with cushion, dancer's pads, etc. When the shoe has good arch support that can transfer the weight off the ball of the foot and into the arch and 2/3 mets.


 So, my patients are always evaluating these factors: heel height, cushion, rocker bottom, flexibility/rigidity, upper softness, width, arch support, removable insole, and toe box area/volume. I will try to recommend some individual shoes for each manufacturer. They are:
 1. Aetrex---Berries line of shoes
 2. Aravon Tess
 3. Ariat Safety Clog ST
 4. Beautifeel Rima or Ingrid
 5. Birkenstock Maine
 6. Clark May Poppy
 7. Cole-Hahn Air Tali Wedge
 8. Dansko Kitty or Abby
 9. Ecco Sculptured Lace
 10. Finn Comfort Soft Hanoi
 11. Sanita Coronado Wave
 12. Mephisto Figura or Niza
 13. Merrell Evera Pure
 14. Munro Derby
 15. Naot Nau Mai or Jasper
 16. Rockport Juliet
 17. SAS Maria
 18. Josef Seibel Belinda
 19. Stonefly Infinity Lady and Paseo Nappa
 20. Wolky Argentina and Namibia
 21. Ziera Lottie