New Clogs...

I call them clogs, but of course they are shoes, made-to-measure ones. Not because I want a special style that’s not available in shops, but because of the bone-muscle disease I’ve got in my feet. [See also the about me link]. I’ve a type 4 foot with complications, X-legs, claw toes and a rock-a-bottom [broken bone which sticks out] under my right foot. Each year a new pair is made, and each year we, the specialist, shoemaker and I joke about what color they should be. Creme colored snake-skin, with denim accents… purple with yellow dots or better yet just save in black. You guessed it, its black again but this year in a pebble grain pattern.

Later today I’ll have my first fit, the inlays will be ready but alterations can still be made. The rest of the shoe is made of clear plastic so pressure points are easy to see, mark and altered in the finished product. Everyone gets smaller when they get older, I as well, but when you see me I’m still the same length. The inlays get thicker!

1. Normal foot There is a clear print of the heel, the outside of the foot, the ball of the foot and the toes. This is the type of foot that is considered as normal.

2. Flat foot, fallen arches In case of a flat foot, the arch on the inner side of the foot is sagged. The ligaments in the foot are overstretched due to straining weak muscles, rheumatoid arthritis or due to another abnormality in posture [O or X legs]. Most important symptoms are tired and painful feet. Knee disorders can start to develop.

3. Flex foot In case of a flex foot the foot leans heavily to the inside. Compared to the normal foot the heel bends to the inside because of weak muscles and ligaments. This foot type often leads to complaints of the Achilles tendon. Also complaints in other joints [knee and back] occur due to an incorrect position of the leg. Exercises and an orthopaedic inlay may reduce complaints.

4. Flat and flex foot This foot type is a combination of a flat foot and a flex foot. The sagging foot bends to the inside. The heel also bends to the inside. This can be caused by congenital defects, trauma or straining. This results in painful and tired feet leading to knee and back complaints.

5. Hollow feet In case of a hollow foot the arches of the foot are extremely hollow on the in- and outside of the foot. Besides, the instep of the foot is very high. This often causes problems during shoe purchase. The toes are in claw position and all the body weight lies on the heel and the forefoot.
The defects of the foot often cause bunions and corns. Characteristics of the hollow foot are the severe tension of muscles and ligaments due to congenital defects, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and or disorders of the nervous system of the foot. The hollow foot can result in painful feet. People can also experience complaints in knees, hips, back and neck.

Sorry for the dirty mirror! These are my 'clogs' just as stiff as wooden shoes. Without them I cannot walk but would break my feet in an instant. Not something I look forward too, I have been in plaster for two years (both feet + legs) at the same time in 2001/2003

* The foot types described above occur frequently and do not always result in complaints. Besides there are many possible combinations in which positions of the feet might occur. There are also more severe defects of the foot which are not described here.