Connect
← Return to Driving with Numb Feet.
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
I have decreased sensability in my feet, especially on the right. A couple of years ago I was driving, wearing a pair of shoes which are easy to slip on and off. My right shoe came off, of which I was not aware, and became wedged under the brake pedal, preventing me from being able to depress the brake fully. I drove into a parking spot and was unable to stop the car. I went over the concrete parking bump and at about 1 mph went into my drug store;s window.
The message is don’t drive with shoes that are supposed to be slip on and off easily.
Steve , retired orthopedic surgeon
Replies to "I have decreased sensability in my feet, especially on the right. A couple of years ago..."
Good afternoon @thwheezer and welcome to connect. Have you recently retired from your practice? I hope you are enjoying a much-desired retirement.
Is your decreased sensibility in your feet the result of Neuropathy? It appears that you have learned to be very cautious as a result of your accident. Numbness is a difficult symptom to control. Would you be able to share the type of medication you are using? Does it help with numbness? ....and now for my last question.....Have you discovered any topical that may also help prevent numbness? I would certainly like to find one. My driving capability is limited now, especially as the week leads up to my MFR therapy days.
I look forward to hearing from you......
May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris
What a wonderful warning of caution Steve! Because I don't tie shoes well with PN fingers, I've needed slip-ons, but also ankle support. So I use a Skecher's cushioned, memory-foam, slip resistant slip-on that gives me the support I need and I can't imagine them falling off. I have worn sandals, but even those need to have snug ankle straps. We can't risk our feet sliding out of flip flops or loose shoes since we are a feeling impaired and need to be sure we don't let obstacles in our way. That said, slip-resistant shoes still aren't the safest on very wet surfaces, especially slick car pedals. I keep a towel in my car to make sure I dry off the bottoms of my shoes thoroughly after walking in precipitation to help ensure I don't make my pedals dangerous.
Connect
That's scary, Steve. I had four such incidents. Two were mere slips: no damage. Another, however, saw me vault a curb and cruise slowly across a neighbor's front yard, ending nose-in to a tree. That one, although slow-moving, totaled my Honda Civic, A fourth, and the most recent (a year ago), had me––or more correctly speaking, my Jeep Patriot, ram the rear end of a parked city bus. My Jeep survived, but because my passenger was a near-90-year-old friend, the police felt it was wisest that my friend and I be treated to an ambulance ride to the local hospital. Only this fourth auto mishap was post-neuropathy diagnosis. Were the other three PN-related? Were all four? Worrisome, no matter what. Your narrative gave me chills. ––Ray (@ray666)