Here is the original post.
I have an adult client with mild diplegic CP. He wears AFO’s occasionally
when he works at a restaurant to delay fatigue when on his feet a lot, but
most of the time he manages quite well without AFO’s.
His biggest problem is wearing out the medial toe of his shoes.he will go
through a pair a month. I have tried three different soling materials which
I wrap up and over the medial toe box, shoe goo it in place and stitch it as
well. The latest material that I used was “contitech rau crepe 6mm” and he
still went through this in about 6 weeks.
Any other suggestions for this problem?
Following are the replies.
I had many responses that I should use non-belted auto tires.the rest are
other options. Although all are good ideas, this particular guy needs some
grip for the restaurant floor he walks on.any type of steel or plastic toe
box won’t work in this situation.
Hi there.Have you tried using soling leather?That worked for me
sometimes.The other way is to put bilateral heel and lateral forefoot
wedges so that he weight bears evenly.That should take care of it…
I am a former shoe repairman.The toughest materials beside Vibram lug soles
I remember are called “Lite N Tuff” and Sulvaprene.
I have had cases where we used a metal “Pitchers toe” that would get worn
out as well.
Have you tried hard soling leather to the tips of his shoes? He will still
wear this out but the leather will slide some on the surfaces and wear down
slower and also reduce co-efficiency of friction to allow him to walk
easier. I have had a couple of patients resole this same portion of their
shoes with bowling alley soling stuff which is a plastic?? plate that even
works better but he’d have to inquire at a bowling place to see if this
would work for him.
Years ago I had similar case. I found a steel toe-cover, but I can’t
remember where I found it. It was either a welding supply or for
baseball players. I seem to remember it was for a pitcher. As I
remember it attached to sole by nailing and had a leather “tongue” that
laced onto shoe.
I suggest the Vibram 7175 sheet. It comes in both 4 mm and 6 mm.
I have made a mold of the shoe toe box and then formed a “toe-cap” out of
copolymer over the positive casting. You might have to apply rivots through
the bottom to hold in place. it will last a very long time even with just
1/8 inch copoly.
Thanks again for the replies,
Derek Kozar M.Sc., C.O.(c)
Certified Orthotist
Clinical Orthotic Consultants of Windsor, Inc.
316-3200 Deziel Dr.
Windsor, ON
N8W 5K8
519-944-8340 p
519-944-8360 f
519-982-1747 c
www.cocwindsor.com
