The pain in both feet at my heels and under my toes started about 10 years ago. It led to a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis. I’ve tried several of the biologic meds as well as DMARDS (disease modifying anti rheumatic disease) meds like methotrexate. Nothing helps or either I have side effects. I wear Skechers to cushion my feet when walking. It’s helps.

I too have the arthritis in both feet as well as most of my joints. I have bone spurs on the back of both feet and on the bottom of both feet & arthritis throughout the body. It’s difficult with shoes and I tend to get shoes that are slip on, having tie on shoes or having to put a strap on the back is not easy when your very arthritic in your other joints as well & it is difficult to get socks on . If you ever asked me that I would feel like this at my age I would’ve said no way. I have been to podiatrist and he definitely told me my slip on that I had been wearing were a no no. He said if they bend in the middle, then there’s not enough arch support. I have had plantar fasciitis a couple times in my life. So I don’t wear those shoes anymore and they were not cheap. So I go between wearing Birkenstocks And Crocs. For me it’s important to have a toe box that is wide enough for me. I know I am not the only person who has had changes to their feet in the past several years. Looking at this site only confirms what I’m hearing as we age. My mother used to talk about that a lot but now she’s in a nursing home and doesn’t move around as much. I make sure she has nice comfortable Slippers . I also want to wear sandals more so in the summer and I tend to wear the Merrell sandals. They do not have a backstrap, but they tend to not be just flip-flops but have more of a full front. I am now starting to feel some pain underneath the toe area on my foot and I was talking to somebody recently and they said they were having the same type of pain and they are about the same age as I am. So yes, I may be in the search to find the right shoes for me, I know my mother loves the memory foam shoes . I may have to sacrifice something more fashionable for something more comfortable. I wish you all good luck in finding good shoes for you. It is important because they are our foundation.. 🙏