Orthopedic Footwear Research Center

Choosing the Best Shoes for Lymphedema Does a shoe that fits perfectly at breakfast painfully cut into your skin by dinnertime? Medical professionals explain this happens because lymphedema acts as a bodily drainage system failure, requiring shape-shifting footwear. Many assume the solution is simply buying larger sizes. Unfortunately, podiatrists warn this creates a loose-heel tripping hazard. Specialized shoes for swollen feet must...

Best Shoes for Comfort with Mallet Toes You shouldn't endure painful rubbing at your toe's tip just to take a walk. A mallet toe occurs when only the end knuckle (distal joint) bends downward. According to podiatrists, tight footwear sparks a "toe-tendon tug-of-war," forcing toes up and over like bumper-to-bumper traffic. Choosing specific shoes for mallet toes prevents this painful ceiling friction....

Heel Spur Support Shoes: Your Foundation for Relief Waking up to a sensation like stepping on a sharp thumb tack signals a heel spur. This sharp pain comes from a bony outgrowth—medically called calcaneal exostosis—caused by long-term strain. Think of it like a sharp pebble trapped under your heel that gets crushed with every step. Finding the right shoes for heel pain...