Seem you're still worried about your stiff toe and the best shoes after toe fusion. The term toe fusion is not that simple. There are two cases in it. One is Hallux valgus and other is Halux rigidus.
Hallux valgus is the fusion of the toe in the outer direction resulting to appear like bunions. It makes it difficult to wear narrow-toe shoes and high heels.
Hallux rigidus is the stiffness of the big toe joint. In this case, the upward motion of the big toe decreases to an alarming level. It causes pain while walking.
Now, if you've Hallux valgus (Bunions), click here and have a look at the best shoes to wear with bunions.
And if you've Hallux rigidus (stiff big toe), then read more and you'll be at ease at the end of this article.
As you see in the video, the Hallux rigidus limits the movement of the big toe. The usual cure for this disorder is to wear shoes with a hard insole or an insole with a carbon plate downside to reduce the upside movement of the toe.
But remember, This will not be the permanent cure for the disorder.
The permanent cure for Hallux rigidus is to incur surgery. During surgery, the toe is fused and the stiffness of the big toe is corrected.
You need to wear supportive offloading shoes after toe fusion surgery. Because you'll not be able to walk at your desire just after that.
If you've incurred surgery, have a look at the best shoes after toe fusion (Hallux rigidus).
Are you in hurry!
The best thing about these shoes is that these shoes have a thick outsole that squeezes when you step forward, lessening the upward motion of your toes.
Moreover, You can insert a carbon plate insole and be at the ease.
Reviewed by a buyer...
"with having plantar fasciitis, these shoes seem to ease the pain. The toe box is not restricting to arthritis in the toes either. so far so good, very comfortable."
What to look for in a shoe after toe fusion?
Following are some key features that should be taken into consideration before choosing footwear for this type of disorder.
Toe area:
The toe area must be wide and adjustable. The less cushioned the toe area of the shoe, the less will be the bending of the fused toe, which will help to have a comfortable ride.
If the shoe has adjustable straps for toe spacing, then it will be the best after surgery. The shoe should support swelling and bandages. The wider toe area helps to keep the toe safe and sound.
Stability:
The shoe must be rigid and stable. It helps to retain your gait and gives you the necessary support and comfort. It also protects the shoe against friction and slipping.
Offloading feature:
If you have a severe case of hallux rigidus, then:
A shoe that you're going to use for hallux rigidus should possess the feature of toe offloading. It helps to make the toe, pressure-free, which will heel it readily.
We know it looks horrible but it is necessary to stay safe. You can use off-loading shoes in your home and, for outdoor, I will also recommend you some of the best shoes after toes fusion.
For this, the shoe must provide angled support to give offloading of the toe. It must transfer all of the pressure to the heel. It also helps to protect and keep the toe safe.
Following is a list of the best shoes after toe fusion:
Shoes after toe fusion | Hallux rigidus
Dr. Scholl's Shoes Women's Nailed It Sneaker
The reason why I choosed to put these shoes in this article lies behind the awesome outsole of these shoes. It is extremely comfortable for people with stiff toes.
These shoes provide an air-cooled snug fit along with support and comfort. The upper of these shoes is made with cotton.
It is breathable so, it keeps your feet cool and makes you feel relaxed during the whole day. The laces are flexible. The shoes offer a padded tongue and collar to provide an air-cooled snug fit.
As these shoes look to be bulky but trust me these are the lightest supportive shoes. The inner of these shoes is also cushioned and supportive.
Coming towards the main point, the outsole is not much cushioned. It reduces impacts to a lower level but lessens the upward motion of your stiff toes (the main point).
The outsole is thick and durable. If you think you have flat feet, then these shoes will be the best option for you OR if you’ve high arches or normal feet, you can make the way better by using dr. scholl’s insoles.
Reviewed by a buyer:
I needed comfortable shoes for working 8 hours a day on concrete floors. These are great. At first, they feel kind of hard, I didn't think they would be comfortable, but they absorb the shock of walking on concrete. I have happy feet.
PROS:
- Breathable cotton fabric upper
- Soft supportive inner
- Thick rigid outsole
- Less upward toe motion
- Flat feet arch type
- Lightweight
CONS:
- Run half a size bigger.
Orthowedge Forefoot Off-Loading footwear
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The orthowedge forefoot shoe is designed to be used by men, women, and some big kids. It is a universal shoe with three wide adjustable straps.
The shoe features a breathable material with soft removable insoles. The shoe also has a 15-degree dorsi-angle bottom and individual healing power.
The breathable mesh material helps you to wear this shoe for a long time and provides an awesome cooling effect.
The shoe also has soft removable insoles. So it can be used to insert custom orthotics.
The 15-degree dorsi-angle drives all of the pressure towards the heel, thereby reducing pressure from the toes. It also helps you to offload your toe area. The toe cup acts as a bumper against further damage and helps a lot in healing the wound.
The shoe is designed for the individual healing of post-operative toes, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and any other type of foot surgery.
The square toe design of these shoes is spacious for comfort and it also helps to wear bandages in it.
PROS:
● Adjustable straps
● Removable insoles
● 15-degree dorsi-angle
● Breathable material
Directions:
Simply slip your foot into the orthowedge shoe and secure and adjust with the closures above the foot and around the ankle. Add EVA insole as needed.
Post-Op Orthopedic Footwear
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The footwear has lightweight, protective, and support features. The shoe is very comfortable and easy to use. It features adjustable straps and a rigid sole.
The straps help to adjust the pressure. These straps are present on both the front panel and on the ankle area. Front straps help to adjust the front area which in return help to avoid undesired movement and slipping.
The shoe is itself universal. It comes in single and can be used on either foot.
The toe box is very comfortable and has additional room to provide support to bandages and swollen feet. Along with this, the shoe also has a heel pad that protects the heel and ankle from irritation and friction.
The shoe is very helpful to use for swollen feet, flat feet, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and after plantar fasciitis and toe surgeries.
The rubber outsole of the shoe is very stable and rigid. It helps to support the arch and reduce pressure from the forefoot by shifting it to the heel.
PROS:
● Lightweight
● Adjustable support to the heel and ankle area
● Rigid sole
● Adjustable straps
● Universal
● Supportive heel and toe box.
United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker
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The footwear is perfect for any type of surgery and is universal in nature. This shoe can be used on either side of the foot. The united ortho short air cam walker shoe promotes natural walking, stimulates healing, and provides shock-absorbing features.
The shoe has air cell technology. This shoe also comes with an air pump. When you press the air pump, the air cells inside the boot begin to inflate which provides a customized fit because the air forms around the foot. Excessive compression can also be decreased by deflating the boot by pressing the button below the air pump.
The shoe with all its comfort-providing features is also made of high-quality material. It is made of Polymer, which is a high-quality form of regular plastic. It can bear high warm and cool temperatures.
The shoe straps which are VELCRO Medical straps (stronger than regular VELCRO straps) are also strong enough. They can be rewarded 900 times.
One more great advantage of this shoe is they leave your toe area open which proves to be very helpful for the patients having surgeries. It allows the toe to stay free, avoid their rubbing against the ends, and increases comfort. It helps to reduce the time of getting cured.
PROS:
· Universal
· For daytime
· Air cell technology
· High quality
· Velcro medical straps
· Open toe area
CONS:
· Not yet discovered
Related : shoes after achilles tendon surgery
Medical Orthopedic footwear for Broken Toe
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This post-op shoe is specially designed to help the healing of post-operative ankle and big toe joints. It features three adjustable straps with a 15-degree ortho wedge bottom angle.
The upper of this shoe is made of high-quality honey-comb breathable mesh that helps to keep your foot dry and comfortable.
The shoe features three adjustable straps, two at the toe area and one at the ankle. These help you to adjust the pressure at the toe as well as the ankle area.
The 15-degree angle bottom makes the foot very comfortable and helpful in reducing pressure from the toe area. The bottom is also rigid and stable. The shoe is slip-resistant.
The toe straps help to increase the space in the toe area. It can be used even with bandages and swelling. After toe-fusion surgery, you will need to use bandages and keep your toe at a specific place.
This shoe will help you a lot in doing all that.
PROS:
● 15-Degree angle bottom
● Three adjustable straps
● Spacy toe box
● Reasonable price
● Slip-resistant
Related - Stiff-soled shoes for fractures.
Darco OrthoWedge Healing Footwear
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The Darco ortho wedge healing shoe is clinically proven to help the healing of postoperative wounds. It is designed so to reduce pressure from the toe area by shifting it to the heel. The shoe features a square toe design, 15-degree angle bottom, soft insoles, and adjustable straps.
Square toe design that provides maximum support and protection. This shoe helps to keep your foot safe when it has those surgeon inserted wires in the toe. Helps a lot in hallux rigidus.
The shoe has adjustable straps which makes it more unique and supportive.
It also contains the 15-degree Dorsi angle bottom. Helps a lot in healing toe fusion surgery,
The insoles provided with these shoes are very soft, The outsole is rigid and stable,
The shoe is designed to offer maximum support after toe fusion. It also helps to retain gait and to keep the toe in the recommended position.
If you are looking for a quality shoe that not only helps you to reduce pain but also helps to recover soon, then this one will be the best.
PROS:
● Heel and toe support
● Removable insoles
● 15-degree dorsi angle bottom
● Toe protection
Vive Offloading Post-Op Shoe
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The Vive Offloading Post-Op surgical footwear is very comfortable and supportive. This shoe is very lightweight and promotive for healing big toes after a bunionectomy, hammer toe, mallet toe, toe fusion surgery.
The shoe has adjustable straps and a wider toe box. It becomes easy to accommodate bandages in it. It also proves very effective if you have swelling and bandages in your toes.
It helps to reduce pressure from your toe by shifting it to the heel. The wider heel helps to reduce pressure from the toe. This shoe is ideal in itself. Helps to offload the toe.
Thus shoe helps hallux valgus patients to heel soon and the overweight arthritis patients, which are reported to use foot support.
The shoe is very lightweight and comfortable. It is padded to allow protection and support. The shoe features a wide toe box that acts as a bumper to provide great protection and comfort.
The outsole of this high-performance shoe is also very durable. It is a rigid sole with extended durability and stability.
The appearance is quite good.
PROS:
● Supportive toe
● Great heel
● Comfortable
● Shift pressure to the heel
● Extended straps.
FAQs
Below are some of the most repeated queries on big toe fusion surgery| hallux rigidus.
what shoes can I wear after toe fusion?
- wide toe boxes
- toe offloading
- More cushioning at the toe area.
Can you run after toe fusion?
Can you wear high heels after toe fusion?
It is good to avoid heels after you've got a fused toe. After recovery, you can do so but avoid using heels more than 4cm.How to walk after big toe fusion surgery?
Features comparison chart for the recommended shoes after
toe fusion:
Causes of Toe Fusion:
The main problems that are seen with the hallux rigidus patients involving the big toe joint are:
Bunion Deformity:
The development of a bunion deformity is a big cause of hallux rigidus. Which leads to the change in position of the first metatarsal joint.
The change in the metatarsal joint’s position leads to decreased toe flexibility and then increases the toe joint space. All this leads to the deformation of the big toe joint. And when your big toe joint gets deformed, you will surely get hallux rigidus.
Arthritis:
The second major cause faced by the majority of patients is arthritis in their big toe joints. It first leads to the weakness of their bones and then, due to lack of necessary change in the footwear, they become the patient of hallux rigidus.
So, whenever you have arthritis, you need to take more care of your footwear and should make necessary modifications to them.
Lack of proper care:
When people don’t take proper care in choosing the right footwear, it leads to the deformation of the metatarsal joints. It leads to various disorders and contributes a lot to raising hallux rigidus.
Many people continue using the wrong footwear having no arch, heel, and toe support and zero cushioning effect. That type of shoe becomes the cause of their deformity.
Effects of toe fusion:
Toe fusion leads to various painful situations along with various other effects. Some of them are discussed below:
Decreased Flexibility:
Toe fusion leads to decreased flexibility in the big toe joint which takes part in difficulty in walking and induces pain during stepping forward. The foot thumb can't reach the higher needed level (necessary for a smooth walk) and hence you may start limping due to it.
Weak Cartilage:
Weaker toe cartilage (A soft and more flexible tissue than bone present at joints) may result in swelling, inflammation, and pain in the joints. No doubt it can be the cause of toe fusion and severe pain. It also leads to the situation of limbing and toe stiffness.
Pain:
Pain is the biggest effect of hallux rigidus. The pain is due to decreased toe flexibility, weaker cartilage, and limitation of motion.
All such cases lead to severe pain situations that force patients to readily make the cure. Some patients try home remedies and pain killers but when the pain reaches its peak, it becomes very difficult to bear that.
So as a result, patients decide to incur surgery which in most cases, proves a good cure. But you need to take proper care of your foot after that.
Narrow Joint Space:
Narrow space in the big toe joint leads to severe pain. Toe fusion results in the narrowing of space in the big toe joint and the deformation of the first metatarsal. Narrowing the space also contribute to more fusion of the toe.
Conclusion:
There are different types of shoes, used for different purposes. You may look for the best suitable. Above are some suggestions that might help you bring some comfort while you've got a fused toe.