Foot fat atrophy and hammer toes

I have arthritis in the small bones of my feet and finally had to have a fusion of one of the metatarsals and the adjoining cuneiform bone in the right foot. Not a surgery I want to repeat on the left foot. No bunions however. I love Skechers slip-ons but for anything but short walks I wear lace up athletic shoes with custom orthotics plus a carbon plate under the orthotic on the left foot. It reduces flexion of the bones.
However, I still have some pain from lack of cushioning so I’ve bought various products from https://zentoes.com/ They carry gel cushions that stick to the ball of my foot plus toe and bunion separators. Check them out to see if anything they have might help with cushioning and protecting your feet.
Hope this helps in your situation!

Thank you for sharing. Yes, I have zentoe products The toe separators seem to help. Right now I have a new pair of orthotics to try to get used to. I also use gel cushions and callous protectors. I never thought I would have these kinds of feet problems. I had been a fast walker. I still go to a fitness center several times a week hoping that will keep me from more decline. Podiatrists have not been helpful over the years.

Hello @gldmontana, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing the link. I also love Sketchers but need to buy new ones every 5 or 6 months because the memory foam collapses. Then I just use them for awhile around the house.

Do you mind sharing what you were searching for when you found Connect?

Husband: small bowel diverticulitis & adhesions from two resections in 18 yrs and another one just recently. Me: signs of kidney issues but improved some now; arthritis in hands, feet, and one knee. (Just had 2nd Visco injection in knee.)
Great to have forums like these!

Thanks for the Sketchers tip. I might just give them a try.

Alas, as we learn, feet wear out along with the rest of the body. Mine were abused by years of bare feet in the city, hard-soled "office shoes" (though I never succumbed to pointy toes/high heels), and miles of running, all complicated by arthritis & bone spurs.
I second John's recommendations for Skechers - I wear the "GoWalk" Gel Comfort ones, some for real walking, some for out & about, even a pair of serious hikers with stiff lugged soles, but great cushioning. They do wear out quickly, and get relegated to the garage/garden after just a few months. If you are not too particular about color, and can find a Skechers Outlet, there are pretty good deals to be had. I am going looking for some new ones again in a week or two.
Sue

Thank you for the endorsement.

Try using Powerstep insoles after the memory foam wears out. Rip out the memory foam and replace it with new insoles. They are not cheap will last for years.

In addition for foot fat atrophy and hammer toes and have frequent bring sensation in the soles of both feet. Gabopentin was prescribed, but I have not taken it due to side effects like dementia, eye rolling, disorientation and sexual dysfunction. Trying to get relief from these ailments is like nonexistent and tentative at best.

I've found Gabapentin useless even in high doses for neuropathy, numbness in my foot caused by damaged nerve root in my spine. I use Meloxicam daily as a general NSAID pain reliever. Gabapentin was initially used for epilepsy.