Putting Comfort First
Finding genuinely wide waterproof walking shoes can be difficult enough. Add swollen feet into the mix and it gets harder still — especially when you need extra room not just across the foot, but over the top of it too. I’ve had enough problems with my own feet and ankles over the years to know … Read more
Finding comfortable slippers when your feet are swollen isn’t always as easy as it sounds. A slipper can be wonderfully soft and still be no use if the opening is too tight to get your foot into, or there’s not enough room once it’s on. That’s something I’ve become very aware of through years of … Read more
Finding a pair of compression socks that actually keep your legs feeling light and energised can feel like a massive victory. But if you’ve ever spent your day constantly yanking at your hosiery because the fabric is gathering into a tight, pinching band at the back of your leg, you know exactly how frustrating it … Read more
When you are dealing with advanced ankle arthritis, everyone talks about the pain. Almost nobody prepares you for the decisions that come with it — or what everyday life is actually like after a total ankle replacement. Finding a detailed recovery timeline written by somebody who has genuinely been through it isn’t easy. I’ve been … Read more
Finding the perfect outfit for a special event — whether it’s a wedding, a milestone anniversary or a formal evening — should be exciting. However, if your feet and ankles swell, finding occasion shoes that are both comfortable and actually look good can be an absolute minefield. I have had years of wearing trousers simply … Read more
Finding and buying a lovely pair of wide-fitting trainers should be a relief, but for many of us, the trouble doesn’t stop at the width of the toe box. An incredibly common, highly frustrating problem is a tight instep—the top slope of your foot between your toes and your ankle. If you examine your trainers … Read more
Returning home after a total hip replacement is a massive milestone, but it also brings a unique set of daily hurdles. You will have been put through your paces before you left the hospital, but it can feel a bit scary once you get home. It is well worth asking a family member or friend … Read more
Somewhere along the way, I noticed a pattern in my own wardrobe. The brands I’ve found genuinely suitable for my feet — Tamaris, Rieker, Gabor, Ganter, and Waldläufer — are, without exception, German shoe brands. It wasn’t a decision I made deliberately. It just kept happening, pair after pair, year after year, until I looked … Read more
I’ll be upfront — chilblains aren’t something I’ve personally dealt with, unlike a fair few of the other things I write about here. But between years of living with arthritis and paying close attention to circulation and cold-weather comfort, I’ve picked up a genuine understanding of what actually helps. So this one’s built on solid … Read more
However different the occasion, my outfit is nearly always the same: trousers and a top. Not because it’s what I want to wear, but because arthritis and what my feet allow decide for me. I know how this is supposed to sound, at my age, with arthritis being such a normal part of getting older, … Read more