Shoes for the Foot Disaster

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’ s internet friends has asked the Manolo the question.

Dear Manolo,

Please help! I’m beginning to think I’m on an impossible quest. I’m about to start a fabulous new job, and i just found out I have a cracked sesamoid bone in my foot. Which means I have to toss my entire collection of gorgeous stilettos and fun wedges, and start from scratch. According to my doctor, I must only wear flats with rigid soles. And, they must be wide, in order to avoid adding any additional pressure on the afflicted area. In fact, my doctor actually uttered to words “Buy ugly shoes.” To make things even more difficult, I’ve been on the job hunt for a while, and my bank account is showing the ill affects, so I can’t afford to spend much on these new shoes. I’m only 26, please save me from a lifetime of doctor-prescribed “ugly shoes!”

Thanks,
Becca

Your doctor has recommended that you purchase only the ugly shoes?

The Manolo shouts, QUACK!

Clearly, this “physician” is the peddler of snake oils and patent medicines, who needs to have both his gypsy wagon and his medical license confiscated. He has neglected the obvious and important medicinal benefits that accrue to those who wear beautiful shoes, chief among which are happiness, psychic well-being, and the sexier, sexual sex life.

Firstly, the Manolo recommends getting the second opinion, preferably from the doctor whose accreditation comes from somewhere other than the crazy old crone with the herbs, who lives in the shack in the haunted forest.

Second, the Manolo would tell you that there are many beautiful and interesting flats available to the young super fantastic girl with the feets problems.

For the example, here is the Borneo from Stuart Weitzman.

Stuart Weitzman has many such flat shoes of quality and taste, perfect for the young woman who is building the professional wardrobe.

Comments

BarkingDogShoes 17 years ago

I love the looks of the Stuart Weitzman flats, but I’m wondering if they’d be too narrow in the toe box for dear Becca’s sesamoid problem. What about Sofft brand shoes? They make some pretty flats in a wide width and have cushioning in the footbed.

Atomic Bombshell 17 years ago

Great post! Thanks for making me laugh, Manolo! :) XOXOX

pustekuchen 17 years ago

Um, manolo, did you miss where the doctor said that the shoe should be wide, so as not to put pressure on the damaged area of the foot? also, the rigid sole? those shoes are do not appear to offer enough structure to support an injured foot.

while I agree, that the shoes must not by necessity be “ugly” let’s not forget that there is a genuine concern for the health and further wellbeing of this woman.

By your glib response, it gives the impression that you would be just as happy having her crippled, so long as she wore dainty pretty shoes while getting there.

Frankly, I am disappointed in your answer, Manolo.

Noga 17 years ago

Maybe dear Manolo didn’t realize that this is a serious impediment that could become aggravated if not tended to properly:

“Sesamoiditis is painful inflammation of the sesamoid apparatus, which is located in the forefoot. It is a common condition that typically affects physically active young people. ”

“Treatment for sesamoiditis is usually noninvasive. Minor cases require a strict period of rest and the use of a modified shoe or a shoe pad with a cutout to reduce pressure on the affected area.”

http://www.podiatrychannel.com/sesamoiditis/

I think just a little more robust, flat shoe would be in order in this case. A pretty shoe does indeed enhance the sexiness of its wearer but no amount of shoe prettiness can undo an awkward gait. Maybe a little compromise here is called for?

Susan 17 years ago

Isn’t shoe designer Taryn Rose a podiatrist? (See http://tarynrose.com/.) I’ve always thought that many of the shoes were indeed ugly, but there are exceptions — and short-term compromise seems to be in order here.

Christina 17 years ago

Why? Why, why why do flats for grown women always have BOWS or JEWELS or some kind of gew-gaw on them like they let a 6 yr old My Little Pony fan at them with a Bedazzler?!? Why?!

Jennie 17 years ago

Becca, do you wear a size 8? Not to be an ambulance chaser but I do love shoes! If you absolutely HAVE to get rid of them…I will be happy to help ;-}

Jo 17 years ago

I just recovered from a horrendous case of sesamoiditis, which was the most painful thing I’ve ever had happen in my life. It was the sort of pain that leaves you lying on the couch, leaking tears, shifting around trying to get comfortable, waiting for the narcotics to kick in. It sucked.

That said, I think the bow-laden flats are a BAD idea. They’re far too narrow in the toe box to accomodate the average sesamoid-owie foot. Naots, which are funky and fun and exciting without being heeled, would be a better choice. They’re expensive, yes, but you only need one or two pairs to go with everything.

Danskos have the same argument going for them, but I’d avoid them due to the weight factor.

Frankly, as long as you get a firm shoe insole (Superfeet are good), you can wear almost anything.

Get better soon, Becca!

The Mary 17 years ago

I once owned a pair of Paloma Picasso flats that looked very much like these Mr. Stuart Weitzman. Nevertheless, they were the best pair of flats I ever owned. . .

JK 17 years ago

That stinks, but health should come first. Perhaps Becca could channel her energies into nice handbags for the time being.

toad 17 years ago

You buy the size larger shoe for width then you pad the back of the heel area for fit.

You cold soak the feet at the end of the day to reduce the inflamation.

Ninjarina 17 years ago

Honey, you are in luck – many shoe companies, even the orthodic (i.e. ugly) ones usually have cute designs and come in wide width.

Here is a sampling:

Fitzwell Caroline: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/34115495/c/65599/g/women/w/M_12.html

Sofft Pilar: http://www.sofftshoe.com/item.asp?style=1017511&Col=68

Laura V 17 years ago

The Borneo does come in wide widths, but I fear that the leather sole would be too flexible for this purpose.

I wonder if some of the newer shoes from Clarks would suit? They have really picked up their fantasticness level in the past few years (and unlike Danskos, are lightweight).

Stori Lundi 17 years ago

I second Naots. I’ve got Morton’s Neuroma (basically a pinched nerve) in my foot and have custom orthodics. Naots, as well as Finn Comfort, and Think! shoes have wide toe boxes, room for orthodics, and many cute styles to choose from. Plus you can usually find them on eBay for a fraction of what they are retail. Shoe companies like Comfort One and the Walking Company sell them as well.

oakling 17 years ago

Seriously. There is no reason to buy ugly shoes in this day and age. Shame on that doctor for not researching this stuff ahead of time.

La BellaDonna 17 years ago

OMG. La BellaDonna thanks the Noga! She has had the pain in the foot for the while now, and it corresponds exactly with the sesamoiditis. She is annoyed, because she already wears the boots with the sturdy soles, the wide toe box, AND the orthotic insert, which will be swapped out for the ones recommended for the sesamoiditis. It seems to La BellaDonna that adding the proper orthotic would stiffen some of the shoes of the questionable stiffness under consideration, no?

ChaChaHeels 17 years ago

This lady is actually suffering from a cracked sesamoid bone–a fracture, not an inflammation. So a very sturdy sole is necessary, something to offer a lot of support so that the fracture can heal.

The Weitzmans are not a good choice, just because they can’t offer that support. They also tend to cost more than shoes which might be slightly less luxe-y, but still quite attractive, comfortable, suitable for work, and healing. The brands linked here offer some workable, suitable options.

I’m inclined to agree with the Manolo that this doctor suffers from an ignorance about beautiful, health-restoring shoes; however calling him a Quack who “gets his training from a crone playing with herbs”…I know from experience some of those herbs could help this lady fix that fractured sesamoid bone much more quickly and with a lot less pain. Let’s not show our own ignorance in calling others ignorant! I hope this lady is back in her pretty shoes again as soon as possible. Get well quick!

Tinuvielberen 17 years ago

I have wide feets, though not the fractured sesamoid, thank goodness. To the recommendation of Naots, I add also Beautifeel, Thierry Rabotin, and Ferragamo. These shoes are not cheap, but they last. I’m wearing right now a pair of Beautifeels that are at least ten years old, and they still feel heavenly.