Foot Shells

[diverdoc]

I am a 63 year old guy anticipating a RBKA in the next few months.

I have read through this topic on foot shells. 

I am am a shoe guy. I like a good quality shoe, and require a lot of different shoes in my life. I am a physician, so I need a variety of nice dress shoes, and often attend functions that require dressing up.

I also live on a country acreage which requires that I wear work boots - often steel toed ones, and often in my work visit industrial sites where  steel toed boots are mandatory. 

I also often wear just "kick about" pull on boots (eg. Blundstone boots). 

In the winter I need heavy snow boots OR hiking boots that I strap into my snowshoes. 

So what I am wondering is what is the current state of affairs with respect to shoes? This thread started out four years ago, so I wonder how much has changed. 

I am am not particularly averse to just wearing a naked prosthesis even with a different shoe in casual situations, but there are also a lot of situations where I would rather not draw attention to myself or have to explain the prosthesis 30 times a day. I just don't have the time or inclination to do it. 

So can some of you experienced veterans help me out here?

Thanks!

Sandy

[tedatrowercpo]

Honestly not a great deal has changed. There are a couple more feet available that are adjustable for different heel heights and more companies are offering brown footshells. The issues we discussed regarding footshells and shoe fit are still there.

[ann-]

Hi Sandy, I am female so shoes are always a bit of an issue, but basically the feet are set up for the shoe and I have seen amps wearing boots etc., so that shouldn't be a problem, but initially, the first prosthetic will probably be basic set up and you might not want to be learning to walk in heavy boots. Prosthetic feet can be changed of course, so once you have got used to walking on your prosthesis and return to work it might not be too much of a problem. I would suggest when you first meet with your prosthetist and discuss what prosthetic set up you need, to talk to him about this.

Regards the prosthesis, there are usually options whether you want it covered, with different types of cover, or naked, though even with naked you can get add-on shin fronts so if you are wearing smarter trousers or whatever it fills out the trousers and looks more natural. Again, talk to your prosthetist about this and let him know what you need. Initially the prosthesis set up might be basic and naked, as they might need to regularly adjust alignment etc., and it is easier to get to the workings of the prosthesis without covers etc., but as you progress with your walking this won't be continually necessary.

Good luck with your surgery, let us know how you go and hope you manage to get the set up as you want it for your shoes/boots.

[vader7]

I hate foot shells. They turn black and ugly, they also tote around germs, insects and whatever else falls inside them.

If I go somewhere and have to take my shoes off it can be embarrassing, as the foot looks filthy. We should come up with a better foot shell material, or design.

Apr 18, 2014 13:24:44 GMT -4 diverdoc said:


"I also live on a country acreage which requires that I wear work boots - often steel toed ones, and often in my work visit industrial sites where steel toed boots are mandatory.

I also often wear just "kick about" pull on boots (eg. Blundstone boots). "


As far as footwear, I stay away from any type of heeled shoe. After 3 days they cause me to get major irritation and skin breakdown  on my front tip and behind my knee. Avoid heeled shoes, please. You can try wedges but they aggravate my stump either way.