Standing in the shower is painful for my husband's feet. Help!

Posted by nancyjg @nancyjg, 3 days ago

Standing in the shower is painful for my husband's feet. He has idiopathic neuropathy, Morton's neuroma, plus the padding on the ball of foot has thinned. This all happened within the past 8 months (I'm writing this on 12/13/25). This week we finished a multi-month master bathroom renovation and gave up our tub, so a bath is not a solution. We've tried many Amazon shower mats, but so far our cat's feeding pad is what is provideing some relief. (!)

Surely others reading this have had the same problem standing in a shower and have found ways to ease the pain. Please help!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Profile picture for cwloeffler @cwloeffler

I have the same problem. The bottom of my feet - especially the left foot - are very sensitive to pressure against hard surfaces. I can't walk barefoot on hard surfaces - including the hard shower floor. I found that wearing rubber flip-flops in the shower solved the problem for me.

Jump to this post

@cwloeffler I'll get some flip flops for him. Great idea! Thank you! !

REPLY
Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

I just googled if these kitchen mats are safe for the shower and it said they can be slippery. Maybe there is a cushioned mat specifically made for showers? Be safe. Hope you find a solution. Maybe these mats will at least help him in the kitchen or other places. ❤️

Jump to this post

@californiazebra The mats are another great idea, and I really appreciate your doing the research and found they can be slippery.

He's ok when he's wearing shoes because he has special shoes with special insoles and recently added gel pads. He gets fitted this week for orthotics so everything he's doing may change. Or not! It took us over 4 months to get the appointment! It seems we're on our own to find cures (if they exist), or what eases the pain. Obviously, and sadly, we're not alone.

Everyone has been SO wonderfully helpful. Thank you!!

REPLY

Check out shower shoes too. Non-slip with drainage holes. I see them on Amazon and Walmart. Again lots of choices. Some looked cushioned.

REPLY
Profile picture for nancyjg @nancyjg

@SusanEllen66 What a great idea. Our shower is tiny, but that might work. Thank you. And I hope your Morton's pain never returns!!

Jump to this post

@nancyjg there are small chairs on Amazon.

REPLY
Profile picture for nancyjg @nancyjg

@kathyv66 I've never heard of water shoes, so I looked them up on Amazon and Crocs that are sandals were among the choices. I didn't realize that Crocs were well cushioned, so I bought them. I'll now look further into water shoes but quickly got the Crocs because he needs something immediately. Thank you!!!

Jump to this post

@nancyjg My only caution with cross... I used to wear them constantly, loved them but that was before I had neuropathy. My crocs were fairly loose and with reduced sensation in my feet, I was uncomfortable that they would slip around and I wouldn't automatically adjust (same with flip flops). If they are snug, it may not be a concern.

REPLY

Good advice. Thanks Kathy1

REPLY

I really quite enjoy sitting in a shower chair. Amazon sells them. Get one with arms though. Make sure there are grap bars for stability when he gets out. Flip flops may be slippery. If the shower is close to the toilet, my occupational therapist suggests I sit down ( with the lid down if course) to finish drying myself.

REPLY
Profile picture for mayofeb2020 @mayofeb2020

I really quite enjoy sitting in a shower chair. Amazon sells them. Get one with arms though. Make sure there are grap bars for stability when he gets out. Flip flops may be slippery. If the shower is close to the toilet, my occupational therapist suggests I sit down ( with the lid down if course) to finish drying myself.

Jump to this post

@mayofeb2020 Thank you! This is all great advice about the chairs The grab bars aren't up yet but will be soon. Thank you!

REPLY

Can he wear flipflops, Crocs or some sort of waterproof sandals (Teva makes a bunch).
I have Morton’s neuromas, they can hurt!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.