Foot wear...

[*Seanaci*]

Ok...so this may seem odd...but I figure this is as good a place as any being that it's the disabilities board.

I smashed my pinky toe up (on my suitcase no less) pretty good Tuesday morning getting up with my son. We leave for Disney on Sunday. I have not yet put my tennis shoes on to see if I'll be able to wear them for the trip.

I've packed my flip flops and crocs to wear while we are in Florida. There is nothing a doctor can do for my toe other than to buddy tape it. So, my wonders are, what should I do with my shoes? Should I try to wear my tennis shoes on Sunday to see how they'll fit and feel...or do I wear my crocs or flops? Also, do I take my shoes with me to maybe use later in the week during the trip?

I'm so mad that I hurt my toe this bad so soon before our trip. But, I suppose that is life.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[MyDogStitch]

I just came back from a week at Disney and I wore only Crocs. If you have the beach style Crocs they seem like they would have ample room around the toe so that it wouldn't rub too much. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just be sure to keep an eye on it if there is any chance of infection. And be sure to watch your mood - when we're in pain we tend to get grouchy too soon!

 

[scottsod]

crocs my wife broke 2 toes and we went to wdw 5 weeks later still hurt her and 1/2 way in she got crocs in dtd said it was 200x better rest of trip

scott

 

[SueM in MN]

It is OK to wear flip flops in the parks if you are used to them.
Personally, I would probably trip in them, but my mom wears flip flops all the time and had no problem with wearing them almost every day on our trip last Spring. One year a friend had gotten a blister from her other shoes and then switched to flip flops. After a couple of hours, she had a new blister between her toes. The other problem I can see with flip flops is that they would not provide any protection to your injured toe.

Every time my DH wears his Crocs for more than a few hours, he ends up with a blister across the top of his foot, where the edge of the Croc hits the top of his foot. I know some people have no problems with Crocs, but the is the place I would watch.

Since it's your pinkie toe, it's hard to say if it would be good enough to wear your tennis shoes in a week. You might have a problem getting them on (because of needing to push your foot into the shoe), but they might be OK if you loosen the laces enough that your foot slips in easily.
I have smashed my little toe (in about as clumsy a way as you did) - I hit it on a door and could not go to work one day because I couldn't get a shoe on (that was an embarrasing reason to call in sick)
By the next day, I did have one pair of shoes I could get on as long as I unlaced them.

You might want to bring 2 pairs of shoes to the park with you - there are lockers where you could store the extra pair. That way, if you end up with a problem, you have another pair that might take the pressure off.
Also, keep in mind that First Aid has supplies to treat things like blisters (pretty common problem).

 

[honugirl]

Try getting some of that foot stuff that prevents chaffing, I bought a stick of Dr. Scholls stuff at Target to make sure it doesn't rub on the sore spot.

 

[mechurchlady]

I have been driving for 35 years barefoot because I have worn flip flops for that long. I have done SeaWorld, Wild Animal Park and both all 6 Disney parks as well as trips to NY, midwest, and San Antonio.

You have to be used wearing them as the require proper grasping to keep them on. If the rubber wears out or settles then you can get problems because the shoe's sole is off balance and causes problems in your gait, stance, and other stuff. I buy new ones regularly so that I do not get them so broken down that they cause hip, knee and ankle problems.

Hackpooy, splat goes the fat lady. I have permanent knee damage from DLR washing down the painted walkway where people get off the trams and a labour day holiday to boot. Hackpooy means that one person spitting a large wad of spit or any moisture can cause the flip flop wearer to flip flop onto their face or worse knees. Also I have slid out of my shoes and at the Wild Animal Park took off my shoes rather than taking mom down a steep hill with them on because the risk was too dangerous.

When I dropped canned dog food from of an over 6 foot high shelving I still needed sneakers. I cut the side out of my shoe and wore it with the toe exposed. Not the best option but when working in a kennel I did not have much choice 30 years ago.

I have to wear flip flops as my little toes are crooked and tend to cross onto their buddy toe with is weird shaped. They are great shoes but have their risks. I have not had much problems but am wary.

If you switch to crocs or flip flops then wear them for a couple days before the trip like around the house. I wore some hiking/walking shoes that are really just fancy sneakers and they were so heavy that I kissed the stairs at the New York Open tennis matches. I was not used to the heavier shoe, wider footprint, or being tired from wearing them clodhoppers.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I would not go with flip flops, They got that name for a reason. if you have a bandaged toe, Crocs will give you a much better coverage, and if you are worried about rubbing, wear a pair of hiking socks over it for protection.

A flip flop is "suspended" from the thong that goes between your toes, and you will unknowingly clench around that as you walk. If your toe is hurt, you are flexing that toe, even a little.

When I go to the parks, I alternate days with good hiking shoes (with a steel shank,etc.) (for the walking tours!!) and a pair of Crocs (for lighter walking days) and a pair of cutaway "beach shoes" really just tennis shoes that have cut outs for venting, and can be worn with or without socks (Lands' End)

these give your toes protection, and lateral support. (you can get them on-line!)

good luck!!!

 

[BeckyScott]

If you wear the Crocs, I would suggest buying a pack of moleskin to take just in case. (it's with the Dr. Scholl's stuff) If they happen to rub wrong or your toe is rubbing the top of the Croc, the moleskin will help, and it's small enough to fit in a fanny pack or pocket. Or go with crocs-and-socks, which may look tacky but we did it and I don't care.

The only problem I see with them is if you go on the water rides. (and not sure how many of those you'd go on this time of year anyway) Wet buddy-taped toes might not be very happy toes.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I got to thinking about flip flops (I wear them all summer long) and how you grip the shoe to walk correctly in them (rather than slide your feet) and probably won't be wearing those much if at all due to the flexing of the toes.

Mole skin is a great idea as well. I'll have to pick some up.

I'm going to try my tennis shoes on tomorrow and wear them around the house (I have so much to do still it'll help mimick all the walking I'll be doing next week) to see how they feel. If worse comes to worse, I'll wear my tennis shoes long enough Sunday to get to the airport (darn Colorado weather, we're getting snow tomorrow and Saturday), then change to crocs once we get there and pack the tennis shoes in the suit case. I'd hate to be in pain because of too tight shoes on my toe on the plane.

Anyhow. Thanks again all! I'll def be using all the advice.