When you Need only One Shoe

When reminiscing about people who have worn one shoe rather than a pair of shoes, a TV movie comes to mind. The movie included repeated shots of one shoe. That one shoe was able to fit inside the hooks on a ski. That movie aired in the mid 1970s, after the end of the Vietnam War. The lead character in that movie played a Vietnam veteran, a veteran with one leg. That veteran learned to ski on one leg, using special ski poles, poles that had tiny skis at the end, the spot where one would normally find a spike foot surgery

Perhaps Hollywood writers should think about creating a similar movie, a movie in which an Iraq war veteran struggles through life wearing a single shoe. That veteran could be a male, as in that old made for TV movie, or it could be a female. CNN recently profiled a female veteran who had qualified as a swimmer in the 2008 summer Paralympics.

That old made for TV movie did not touch on the challenges that face a man or woman who needs just one ski shoe. At the time that that movie was written most amputees had to purchase a pair of shoes, whenever they needed just a half pair of shoes. Thanks to the arrival of the Internet, present-day amputees do not need to pay for footwear that they will never use. They can purchase one shoe on OddShoe.

Online shoppers who choose to buy a shoe from OddShoe can get exactly that, one shoe. The website allows online shoppers to pay for only what they need. In addition, the website provides amputees with a way to profit from any collection of unmatched shoes. Amputees can also use OddShoe as a way to find buyers for their extra shoes.

So, if you are an amputee, and if you would like to help other amputees, then use your computer mouse to bring up the listing of shoes on OddShoe Look for a shoe that you could use, one that would fit your foot. Purchase that shoe, and then think about using that shoe to draw attention to the problems that face all amputees.

When A Matching Pair of Shoes Is Not Enough

When we think of shoes, we think of a matching pair. But there a many reasons why people need single shoes, or shoes that don't match. Sometimes it is as simple as feet that are two different sizes. Other times, the situation is more serious. People with foot deformities, for example, not only need shoes that don't match – they often need shoes that can help correct their deformity. Clubfoot, which is a birth defect, is the perfect example of a problem that can be improved with the right pair of shoes. In fact, when people with clubfoot stop wearing corrective shoes, their deformity can return and worsen.

Amputees may only require one shoe, but it is a shoe that has an important job to do. This shoe must support the weight of the entire body. It must cushion and protect the joints. It must be able to act as a shock absorber and provide excellent traction for its wearer. At the same time, the shoe must be comfortable and not hurt the foot.

Both people who need corrective shoes and people who rely on one shoe alone, benefit from the added support, comfort and correction that orthopedic shoes provide. They are not alone. Millions of people require orthopedic shoes for minor problems such as flat arches. These common problems may seem like no big deal but over time they can cause serious tenderness in the foot and even lead to deformity.

But while most people with foot problems can manage with a matching pair of orthopedic shoes, people who suffer from deformity on only one foot or who are amputees require "odd shoes" – shoes that are not only address their special needs but also are singletons. Why buy a pair of expensive orthopedic shoes, when you only need one? Luckily, certain online sites such as OddShoe allow people to sell and buy single and specialty shoes from the convenience of their home.

Understanding Common Foot Deformities

There are many kinds of deformities that lead to aberrations from the normal foot. It is quite a common problem. One type of deformation that can be found is the clubfoot, medically called Talipes Equinovarus. Occurring in one of every 1000 births, and affecting boys twice as often as girls, the cause of the clubfoot is unknown. In clubfoot, the foot is turned to the side, making the deformed foot, calf, and leg smaller and shorter than the foot, calf, and leg on the baby's normal side. Such a deformation must be treated immediately or it can lead to greater problems as the child gets older and starts to walk.

A more serious but rare deformity of the foot is cleft foot, or partial adactyly. In this rare inherited deformity, a cleft extends into the foot, causing a “split” or “lobster claw.” Treatment involves surgical correction, which will improve both the function and appearance of the foot.
Another deformation of the foot is called cavus foot. In cavus foot, the foot has an unnaturally high arch, causing too much weight to be placed on the ball and heel of the foot when standing.

Cavus foot can lead to other problems and deformities, including hammertoes, calluses, and ankle sprains. It can be caused by a variety of medical conditions including cerebral palsy or stroke, or can be a hereditary structural abnormality. Orthotic devices, specialty shoes, and even foot and ankle braces are some of the treatments used to treat cavus foot. Surgery will be used as a last resort.

Shortening of the metatarsal bones, or toes, is yet another common deformity of the foot that can be found in many people. Usually, the shortest metatarsal found in such a deformity will be on the fourth toe of both feet. This shortening of the fourth toe can cause pain and rubbing in shoes and also can be unpleasant to look at. The most common treatment for shortening of the metatarsal bone is surgery to lengthen the bone.

Some other foot deformities are less severe. One, called calcaneovalgus, involves the foot bending sharply at the ankle, causing the foot to turn upward and outward, sometimes even touching the shinbone. Usually no treatment is necessary in a baby born with condition, as it will correct itself. In another deformity of the foot called metatarsus adductus, the front part of the foot turns inward, causing a child to walk with his toes turned inward. This is also a condition that usually corrects itself as the child grows, although specialty shoes may be necessary for a period of time to assist in walking.

Two Different Size Shoe Wearers

Some people might wonder why anyone would want mismatched shoes, but if you are one of the millions of people who have feet of two different sizes, you know that you cannot get a single pair of shoes and be comfortable. If you try to squeeze one of your feet into a too small sized shoe that fits your other foot perfectly, you could be inviting trouble. Bunions and calluses can appear from wearing a shoe which is too tight. A shoe too loose on one of your feet can lead to blisters from the shoe's constant movement. If your feet have such a wide difference in size that you cannot be comfortable in a matched pair, you may need to look to the Internet for any of the many shoe retailers who cater to those who require mismatched shoes.

Buying shoes on the Internet does not need to be difficult. You simply need to know the length and width of both of your feet. Stores based on the Internet often have exceptional customer service and the majority of them will exchange an ill-fitting pair if you discover that they are not comfortable when they arrive at your home. There are many ways to learn your exact shoe size, but you need to be careful in how you measure your foot, no matter what course you take.

After you have been standing all day, your feet will likely be swollen. One measuring option would be to use a foot scale at a shoe store to record the width and length of both of your feet. The shoe salesperson should understand that you want to measure both of your feet since many people have mismatched feet. Another choice you have is to get a friend to trace your barefoot on a piece of paper. Then use a ruler to record the length and width. Compare these numbers with the shoe size charts which are common on many of the Internet shoe store web sites.

After you have ordered your mismatched shoes, do not forget to get socks as well. If you try to wear even a well-fitting pair of shoes without socks you might feel the pain of blisters in a short amount of time. Once your new mismatched shoes arrive, try them on and enjoy the comfort you have by wearing a pair of shoes best suited for you. You can shop for odd shoes or specialty shoes on the Internet at OddShoe.

Treat Your Feet to Comfortable Specialty Shoes

Many people are under the impression that if you wear tight shoes, this will automatically cause bunions. However, this is not entirely true. High-heels, narrow shoes or any type of shoe that can suffocate and cram toes actually can cause bunions to become worse. This can be extremely painful. Specialty shoes may literally be what the doctor ordered to relieve the pain caused by bunions. Toe-choking footwear aggravate the growth and agony associated with a bunion, which is a common joint deformity of the big toe.

Since a bunion forces the big toe to bend inward toward the other toes, purchasing toe-happy specialty shoes can pose a challenge, but is certainly not impossible. The following information explains how to find the right specialty shoes to wear:

A - First, you need to know the true size of your feet. All you need is a shoe chart. A true shoe size allows 3/8 inch of space between the ends of the toes to the shoe. Determining your true size will help you find the right pair of specialty shoes.

B - Look for shoes with soft soles and a wide toe area, preferably a half-inch space from the tip of the longest toe to the tip of the shoe.

C- If you wear high heels, your heel should be no higher than two inches. High heels place more pressure on the toes.

D - Avoid shoes that are narrow, pointed or too tight.

E - Try a bunion pad to cushion contact between the shoe and bunion.

F - Choose shoes that conform to the shape of your foot.

To buy specialty shoes that support bunions, you can go to your favorite shoe store and simply ask a shoe sales person if they sell shoes for people with foot disorders. You can also search on the Internet, a worldwide network for locating just about anything--including footwear for people with foot problems.

The Problem with Shopping in Most Retail Stores

If you are a person in need of specialty footwear, you have probably experienced a variety of problems when shopping for shoes in a retail store. Even though retail stores often have a variety of sizes and styles for the conventional consumer, they often fail miserably when it comes to showcasing brands and types of shoes that the specialty footwear consumer demands. Some retail shoe stores fail to carry any type of specialty shoes at all.

Most shoe stores lack in another department (no pun intended) that affects people with diseases or disabilities that result in special footwear needs - they often do not automatically accommodate people with a need for mismatched shoes, different sized shoes, or odd shoes.

Another problem with shopping for shoes at a retail store when you suffer from foot problems has to do with the selection and availability of the footwear that you may need. For example, people who have survived a bout with polio, and now need specialty shoes should not have to suffer an additional indignity because they are now forced to deal with their disability AND an unattractive, ill-fitting shoe.

If a retail store has any kind of specialty shoe selection at all, it is typically limited, and often only for those with aesthetic specialty shoe needs - for instance, people interested in the purchase of height-increasing shoes, also known as lifts or elevator shoes. If a selection of specialty shoes exists at a retail store beyond this, it is often unfashionable, and it is generally difficult to find the particular sizes and styles that a person with different sized feet may require.

For all these reasons and more, it makes much more sense to shop for specialty shoes online, particularly if you have a disability that makes your footwear needs unique. The size and style selection in online specialty shoes cannot be surpassed, and you can choose the vendor that best fits your needs out of hundreds - or even thousands - of options. With the click of a mouse, all the problems that come about with shopping for specialty shoes at retail stores can be eliminated. To find out further information about specialty footwear and odd shoes, log onto OddShoe.

The Answer to Your Foot Woes: Specialty Shoes

As with everything else, you can find comfortable specialty shoes. Specialty shoes vary according to need. A common need is shoes specifically for diabetics. Others are a result of shoe allergies, pregnancy, feet of different sizes, or legs of different lengths. You can find just the right shoes for you regardless of your problem. Let’s take a look at each of these types of foot problems. Some diabetics may need specialty shoes because of poor circulation, foot ulcers, infection due to irritation of the skin or a laceration, and Charcot’s joints. Your shoe may irritate a small portion of your foot, like a toe, and cause the skin to be open and exposed.

Often times this goes unnoticed, and can become an infection.
With the correct type of shoes irritation is minimal and also able to heal without further aggravation. Charcot’s joints are another common problem diabetic’s face in which the foot is numb due to nerve damage and the person is unaware of any pain or problems. With Charcot’s joints a person can injure their foot, like fracturing a small bone or even spraining an ankle and not realize it. The correct types of shoes can reduce the chance of such injury.

Allergic reactions are another common issue with shoe wearers. Some people are actually allergic to one or more products used to manufacture shoes. This may cause welts, itchy skin, and sometimes even pain in the feet. A dermatologist can easily detect allergies with a simple allergy test performed by drawing blood. Once the cause of the reaction is determined, the person should find shoes that do not use that product. Specialty shoe stores can usually help, although shopping online may be a quicker way to find what you need.

Feet of two different sizes can be caused by genetics, disease or injury. Whatever the reason, you can find specialty shoe stores that will accommodate your problem or you can use an odd shoe exchange which is geared towards people who need two different shoe sizes or just one shoe. No matter what type of shoes you need or what kind of shoe accessory you are looking for, the most powerful tool you can use is the Internet.

This is especially true for those who live in rural areas without access to large metropolitan cities with such specialty stores. Your feet keep you up and walking around; take care of them. Today, finding corrective shoes or specialty shoes is much easier than it was in the past. The Internet has made it possible for people to purchase specialty shoes or corrective shoes through online shoe exchanges like OddShoe.