Broken Toe! Need Suggestions!

[time4disney*]

Hello, my husband who is disabled (had lung reduction surgery and is on oxygen) are leaving for WDW this Friday 9-15-06. I am driving, he can't, and we will be spending the night around Macon and then on to WDW Saturday.
Well, I broke my toe this morning! I can not get my walking shoes on, it is really swollen and really, really hurts! I am on my way to the medical supply store to get one of those surgical boots to wear for right now. I was wondering though, does anyone have any suggestions on what other kind of shoes that might be comfortable to wear. I am a little concerned about open toed shoes in the parks. I live in a small town that has only a few stores and not much of a selection. However, I'll be around Macon Friday night and then Orlando on Saturday, which both of these places have Shopping Centers. If any one can give me some suggestions, on a closed toed shoe I would be extremely grateful! I really do not want to have to wear this surgical boot while pushing my husband in the wheelchair! It's hard enough to try and blend in with a wheelchair, let alone having someone pushing it that's hobbling along with a big ole' surgical boot on.
Thank You!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you thought about getting him an ECV from an off-site rental. If he will be having an oxygen tank you can let them know (especially Walker or Care) of the size and they can have tank holders attached to the ECV.

See the "disABILTIES! FAQ" (click on "disABILTIES!" at the top of this page and go to the 4th item on the index. There is a lot of information about rentals and phone numbers.

 

[ducklite]

I think you're going to have a hard time finding a closed toe shoe that will accomodate a really swollen toe.

That said, I've got a couple of ideas.

One would be "Fishermans Sandals" that although technically closed, are actually somewhat open toed. Try Easy Spirit or Aerosoles for comfort.

I have a pair of Birkenstock styles Easy Spirit sandals that use velcro to close them, and they are extremely comfortable, and can be adjusted for size as the swelling in your feet increases or decreases. They are open toe--I'm not sure what your aversion to open toed shoes is--it's still well into the 80's everyday here.

Also, Crocs might work, the toe area is very squared and looks to have a lot of wiggle room.

Hopefully the swelling will go down and it will feel better quickly--toes do tend to heal fairly fast.

Anne

 

[time4disney*]

Cheshire, thank you for your suggestions! We did get an ECV for him a few years ago at one of the parks. We are driving and I have a Sebring convertable so I'll look into seeing if one will fit in my car. Not sure about using WDW transportation with him. We will be spending most of the evening out at the resorts for dinner, Unless it cools down, he will not be able to be out during the day. He also has a nervous system degeneration which means his hands shake, sometimes uncontrollably (we might end up being one of those you read about on the boards about stroller, wheelchair and EVC abuse!
It does sound like a good idea and I will check into it! Thank you!
Ducklite, thank you for your suggestions on shoes! Do you happen to know what stores carry Crocs? Looks like I will have to find some on the way down to Florida, took a look at the stores here and unfortunately there wasn't anything that worked. I have to tell you that this surgical boot (or whatever you call it) I am wearing is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. LOL I wish someone would come up with something a little more fashionable.
Thank you both for your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

[ducklite]

I see Crocs all over the place these days--places who carry nursing scrubs often have them.

By reading the DIS boards, the knock-off's don't seem to be as comfy, so beware.

Anne

 

[time4disney*]

Thank you again Anne, I will definitely try to find these when I get to Orlando!

 

[SueM in MN]

depending on which toe you broke, it might not be that easy to get Crocs on.
From the website, www.crocs.com , here's where to find them Macon:
Belk 189
3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Macon Mall
Macon, GA 31206
(478) 477-2355

Dicks Sporting Goods
4645 Presidential Pkwy
Macon, GA 31206
478-477-5588

Dillard's
Macon Mall, 3661 Eisenhower Pkwy
Macon, GA 31206
912-474-1000

Journeys #579
3661 Eisenhower Pkwy
Macon, GA 31212

Medical Shoe Company
3556 Riverside Drive
Macon, GA 31210
478-475-9250

PARISIAN: MACON MALL, P.O. BX 25410
3661 EISENHOWER PARKWAY
Macon, GA 31212
912/475-7200

and in the Orlando area:
Adrenalina
8001 S. Orange Blossom #1186-1190
Orlando, FL 32809
407-858-2159

Crocodile Kiosk
Orlando International Airport, 9340B Airport Blvd., Terminal A
Orlando, FL 32827
407-825-6450

Dillard's
Florida Mall, 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32809
407-240-1771

Dillard's
Fashion Square, 3403 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
407-896-1211

Grant Detail dba Quiet Flight
4605 L.B. Mcleod Rd. Ste. 300
Orlando, FL 32811
407-835-1313

Greg's Hallmark # 263
Waterford Lakes Town Center, 485 N. Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32828
407-282-0705

Hallmark Creations #263
Waterford Lakes Town Center, 485 North Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32828
407-282-0705

Journeys #1272
1236 Premium Outlets, 8200 Vineland Ave
Orlando, FL 32821

Ryan's Hallmark #1
2433 S. Hiawassee Rd.
Orlando, FL 32835
407-297-8672

Ryan's Hallmark #3
4066 Towne Center Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32837
407-850-9797

Stride Rite # 1436 Florida
The Florida Mall- 8001 S Blossom Trail #852
Orlando, FL 32809
407-857-5597

The Walking Co. (Mall at Millenia)
4200 Conroy Rd. #227
Orlando, FL 32839
407-264-9825

West Marine
5135 Adanson St
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 644-8557

 

[mousebit]

Saw this post and just wanted to add that I had a couple of broken toes this summer and Crocs were the only shoe I could get on because of the swelling. They were sooooo comfortable. Now I wear them all the time even tho the toes are healed! Do make sure you keep your toes taped also! Have a great trip!

 

[time4disney*]

Oh My Goodness SueM, thank you so much for taking the time to find this info for me and for your thoughtfulness! I will print this off and take it with me. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate this!
Again Thank You!

 

[time4disney*]

Thank you Mousebit, for taking the time to post your experience with these shoes. Everyone is saying how comfortable they are, however, someone like you who has had the same problem and has worn these makes me feel that these will be the way to go! Boy, I sure do need to get these shoes! I am off to the clinic to have an x-ray taken, wasn't going to bother but my sisters are giving me the sisterly advice speil (sp?). Unfortunately for me, it is not only my toe, I am swollen and briused halfway up my foot. I guess they are right. better safe than sorry!
Thank you again for taking the time to post I really appreciate it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

First, if you haven't gone yet, I'd say don't waste your money on a surgical boot. It's probably going to be expensive and probably NOT going to protect your toe.
Now, if you're who I can see using my super-xray-vision** and it's the small toe on either foot, I think it's not actually broken, it's dislocated. Really, the best/only treatment is to use some first aid tape to tape that toe to the two next to it. Then, yeah, go for the Crocs - or if there's a Payless near you, check out their Airwalks (similar style, lower price, also potentially wide so as not to put pressure on toe). Worst case, take a pair of your comfortable sneakers and cut out - mark first - the area where your toe would go.

**No, I don't have xray vision, I'm not a doctor, and I DON'T know that my diagnosis of the OP's condition is correct - it's entirely a GUESS, based on 'breaking' my own toes several times. Just because mine were actually dislocated does NOT mean that's the situation with the OP's toe!!!!!

 

[minkydog]

Best of luck to you. I have broken 4 different toes in the last 3yrs so I feel your pain. Literally. Broke my big toe 3 wks ago, still recovering. I'll share my Tylenol with you and a roll of tape

 

[kaytieeldr]

So tape is the treatment for the big toe, too, minkydog? I hope never to find out from experience!

 

[minkydog]

Apparently. It was black for about a week and I had to wear that lovely boot to keep it from bending. Now I can wear my New Balance shoes again. It's still slightly bruised and sore.

 

[ducklite]

There's another trick you can use instead of cutting a hole in your shoes...

Slip the shoe over the rounded wooden end of a broom handle, and position the handle to the area you need to stretch. Now pull and twist, pull and twist, pull and twist until the fabric or leather is stretched out.

My mom and sister, the bunion queens, have been using this method for years.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

So tape is the treatment for the big toe, too, minkydog? I hope never to find out from experience!

The toes get taped to each other and the unbroken toe is like a splint for the broken toe (I have broken a little toe before. I knew from medical books that's the treatment, so that's what I did).