10 Best Shoes for Baxter's Nerve Entrapment

As we embark on the quest to alleviate the discomfort associated with Baxter's nerve entrapment, we asked Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM, to provide valuable insights into this condition. 

"Baxter’s nerve is the inferior calcaneal nerve of the foot. It is a nerve located on the medial or inside of the ankle in the area called the tarsal tunnel, where there are nerves, blood vessels and tendons. It is a branch of a bigger nerve that senses the outside or lateral side of the bottom of the foot. Baxter's nerve branches off the bigger lateral plantar nerve and senses the bottom of the heel and feeds the small toe muscles.

To reach the bottom of the foot from the side of the ankle, it passes under the thick abductor hallucis muscle on the side of the foot, which is where entrapments can occur. An entrapment is where the nerve is squeezed by some other object in the foot, such as a muscle, tendon, or bone. Over time, the pressure from the squeezing causes the nerve coating to thicken with scar tissue and causes pain and abnormal sensations, such as numbness or pins and needles feeling on the side of the foot or the bottom of the heel. It is often misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis.

Common causes of Baxter's nerve entrapment are overpronation, hypermobile foot with too much motion, flat foot, overuse of the foot such as in sports, abnormal thickening of the abductor muscle from overuse, or just genetic predisposition as some people are just prone to scar tissue formation." 

What type of shoes are best for Baxter's nerve entrapment?

“In general, anti-pronation shoes and/or inserts are very important, as pronation puts a lot of stress on the nerve,” explains Dr. Gershman. 

He advises that people who are dealing with Baxter’s nerve entrapment find specialty shoes that “come with an anti-pronation device, which can be added to the insole of the shoe to reduce pronation.” 

“If this isn't enough,” adds Dr. Gershman, “find shoes that have extra depth and are well designed for orthotics to control motion and pronation. A good solid heel counter is also important to control the motion and pronation that damages the nerve. The shoe should also have a low heel and solid midsole and outsole.”

Best shoes for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Now that Dr. Gershman has established a clear foundation by understanding the impact of factors such as overpronation, hypermobile foot and muscle thickening on the nerve, let's delve into specific recommendations.

We’ve put together a list of footwear that can address these specific concerns and support those dealing with Baxter's nerve entrapment.

Best walking shoes for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Women’s Stroll

Why you’ll love it

• So stylish and fashionable, you’ll never guess they're supportive too
• Aligns the foot and corrects the stride for a healthier walking experience

 

Specs

• Sizes: 5-12
• Widths: Standard (B) - Extra Wide (2E)
• Upper materials: suede
• Available colors: blue, black, taupe

 

On the outside

The Stroll sneaker is a modern athleisure piece of footwear, designed with a chic patterned suede leather exterior and seamlessly blends classic sport styling with advanced therapeutic performance.

Each step is softened by the heel-to-toe cushioning sole, a blend of air and foam technology. The sole also features a mild rocker, enhancing walking ease and infusing a spring-like quality. Paired with the rubber outsole, it ensures advanced grip and excellent stability.

On the inside

At the core of the Stroll sneaker's design are orthotic insoles, ensuring optimal support for your feet. The premium arch support enhances stability, aligns the foot and corrects the stride, addressing the concerns of overpronation commonly associated with Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

Irrespective of your arch shape, this shoe caters to your specific needs, thanks to the Arch Booster that allows for enhanced support and maximum comfort. Additionally, the inclusion of two sets of spacers provides a customizable fit, ensuring that you get the support needed to alleviate pain associated with nerve entrapment.

The shoe design also includes a wide, round and high toe box, creating ample space near the toes - a boon for those with bone formations.

Men’s Pierre

Why you’ll love it

• Hands-free and bend-free on/off wear
• Premium orthotic insoles prevent overpronation

 

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Widths: Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: white, black

 

On the outside

Revolutionizing the ease of wearing sneakers, the Pierre sneaker features a unique slip-on system, simplifying the process to a mere step-in – no more dealing with bothersome laces or even bending over. This hands-free design is made possible by an internal spring embedded in the back of the shoe. As the foot is inserted, the spring bends, allowing easy entry, and then recoils to comfortably cradle the foot.

The full-grain leather upper not only contributes to the sneaker's impeccable style but also provides a non-binding fit, accommodating various foot shapes.

Enhancing your walking experience, the Pierre features a cushioning sole with a mild rocker, improving ease of movement by propelling the foot forward as you walk. 

The rubber outsole provides advanced grip and excellent stability, promoting confidence with every stride.

On the inside

The premium orthotic insoles of these shoes, equipped with removable anatomical arch support, diligently work to realign the foot and overall body posture. This proactive approach helps prevent overpronation, alleviating the pain and minimizing the pressure on Baxter’s nerve. Should you require additional arch support, the Pierre sneakers offer the convenience of an Arch Booster, effortlessly added under the insole.

With a generously designed wide toe box, the Pierre sneakers allow the toes to spread naturally, relieving pressure on swollen feet, bunions and hammertoes. 

The interior features a soft, padded fabric free from overlays, eliminating irritation and ensuring unparalleled protection for sensitive feet.

Feedback from users

“Exceedingly comfortable. I bought these for my 60 year old sweetie. He says his feet have never been so happy. We are waiting for another pair that is arriving this Friday!”

Melanie Hansen

Best slippers for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Women’s Lorin | Men’s Vito

Why you’ll love it

• Full foot protection indoors and out
• Keep your feet warm and well supported for more pain-free hours

 

Specs

• Sizes: women 5-12; men 7-14
• Widths: women Standard (B) - Extra Wide (2E) | men Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: Lorin - bordeaux, light brown, black | Vito - olive, black

 

On the outside

Embracing an effortless wear experience, these slippers feature a patented slip-on system that eliminates the need for bending or hands to put on or take off. A built-in spring facilitates easy foot entry, bouncing back to secure a snug fit.

For personalized comfort, a simple adjustment of the strap on the interior side of the slipper ensures a tailored fit. 

The plush microfiber insole top cover adds a touch of luxury, enhancing the overall comfort experience.

The lightweight cushioning sole, featuring a mild rocker, takes the ease of walking to a new level. This ergonomic design not only softens impacts but also alleviates stress on joints, creating an enhanced walking experience. 

Crafted from high-quality rubber, the soles provide improved surface grip, ensuring stability and confident strides.

The soft suede water-repellent upper ensures a snug and dry environment, complemented by a faux fur interior for warmth and comfort. 

On the inside

Going beyond the ordinary, the Vito and Lorin slippers are equipped with premium orthotic insoles featuring removable anatomical arch support. This distinctive feature actively realigns the foot and entire body posture, providing optimal support, and alleviating pressure on the Baxter's nerve.

Crafted to alleviate pressure on sensitive areas, these slippers provide a non-binding fit that allows natural toe splaying. They are also designed to accommodate custom orthotics for motion control or pronation, offering a versatile solution tailored to individual needs.

What the users say

Lorin

“Love these slippers! They are very comfortable, even with my bunions, and warm. I was concerned that the back heel part of the shoe would be hard and irritating because I've had this problem in the past with slip-on shoes, but that was not an issue with these shoes. I love that I can just slip into them easily without bending down, and I love that they have a hard sole so they can be worn outside of the home as well. They are well made and seem like they will last a long time. Love them so much I bought a second pair. Now I will have a pair for inside and a pair for outside!! Even my husband thought they looked stylish!”

Marilyn Andersen

Vito

“Best slippers ever! I usually don’t write reviews, but in this case I decided to because these slippers are by far the best I’ve ever owned. Before buying these I tried an Orthofeet competitor's product which was about half the price. After trying them on, I knew immediately that they were not going to work, even though they were advertised to have arch support and cushioned soles they were definitely an inferior product. When My Orthofeet order arrived and I tried them on, I was immediately impressed with the fit and overall comfort.”

Rick Barto

Best boots for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Women’s Florence

Why you’ll love it

• Slip-resistant soles, waterproof uppers
• Filled with foot-health features, but surprisingly lightweight

 

Specs

• Sizes: 5-12
• Widths: Standard (B) - Wide (D)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: black, camel, taupe, brown (the only one that’s not slip-resistant)

 

On the outside

Innovatively crafted with a rocker bottom sole, the Florence boots introduce a subtle buoyancy to each step, minimizing walking effort and providing relief. 

The boots feature two hook and loop straps across the ankles, prioritizing accessibility and a customized fit. These straps enable the boots to fully open up and the tongue falls forward, allowing for easy entry.

Constructed from soft, non-binding leather with sealed seams, the Florence boots are entirely waterproof, ensuring dry and warm feet even in wet conditions. This design also allows enough room for the foot to swell during the day. 

The lightweight, slip-resistant rubber sole, with a unique tread design, offers excellent traction, boosting confidence and stability when navigating various surfaces, especially during winter.

On the inside

The anatomical arch support incorporated into the boots plays a crucial role in reducing pronation, guiding the foot into proper alignment and enhancing overall gait. The heel cushioning adds an extra layer of protection to the sensitive heel bone.

Unlike most shearling boots, the Florence boots not only prioritize style but also cater to foot health. Their chic appearance seamlessly blends with a cozy, soft and seam-free interior, ensuring that even sensitive feet receive the utmost comfort and pampering with each wear.

What the users say

“I LOVE these boots!! They are comfortable, cozy and so easy to slip on and off with their great velcro straps…these boots are great when it's less than several inches of muck in our pasture. Plus, so easy to hose off and they are good to go to head to town.

All in all, they are so comfortable and they clean off easily, look great, feel great and with their velcro straps are so adjustable. Their adjustable straps are REALLY good for the times when my feet start swelling (such as when sitting at a movie…) as I can quickly just loosen the straps just a bit and it takes that pressure off my feet.”

Lorna Hutcheson

Men’s Verno

Why you’ll love it

• Forget about bending over to tie laces and just step in
• Extra depth, a padded interior and a wide toe box for a pressure-free fit

 

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Widths: Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: black

 

On the outside

The Verno boots feature a patented slip-on system, eliminating the need for bending down and hands-on application.

The solid and firm midsole and outer sole ensure stability, resisting easy bending in the middle while allowing some flexibility near the toes. The sturdier midsole material on the inside prevents the foot from collapsing during pronation or rolling in.

Maintaining a low heel close to the ground, these boots effectively reduce motion, promoting a stable walking experience.

With water-repellent uppers and a wide toe box, these boots prioritize ease of use and alleviate pressure on swollen feet, bunions and hammertoes. 

The leather upper offers a non-binding fit, and the cushioning sole with a mild rocker improves walking ease, adding a gentle spring to each step. 

The slip-resistant outsole provides advanced grip and excellent stability on wet surfaces.

On the inside

The premium orthotic insoles with removable anatomical arch support realign the foot and overall body posture, offering enhanced comfort and alleviating heel and foot pain. The option to add an Arch Booster under the insole provides extra support where required.

The extra depth design not only allows better control of foot motion but also accommodates custom orthotics or specialty insoles, frequent components in Baxter's nerve entrapment treatment.

The soft, padded fabric interior with no overlays ensures superior protection for sensitive feet.

What the users say

“These slip-on shoes are great. Easy on and off. When on, fit is firm. No sloppy heel. Feel very comfortable walking. I would recommend these shoes for anyone especially for those of us that have difficulty bending and/or tying shoelaces”

Bill Hodges

Best casual shoes for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Women’s Chelsea

Why you’ll love it

• Solid and firm sole, and built-in arch support minimize pronation
• The perfect blend of style and therapeutic functionality

 

Specs

• Sizes: 5-12
• Widths: Narrow (A) - Extra Wide (2E)
• Upper materials: soft leather

• Available colors: dark cherry, black

 

On the outside

Engineered with a motion control design, the Chelsea shoes feature a sturdy firm heel counter that plays a pivotal role in preventing heel wobbling, a concern associated with Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

The solid and firm midsole and outer sole provide stability, resisting easy bending in the middle while allowing necessary flexibility near the toes. This design prevents the foot from collapsing during pronation or rolling in, offering essential support.

The slip-on design of the Chelsea shoes is not just a style choice but a practical solution, offering effortless on and off - ideal for those who may have difficulty tying laces or bending down to put on shoes. 

Two adjustable straps further contribute to a customized and secure fit, enhancing the convenience for individuals with specific foot conditions.

On the inside

The extra depth in the Chelsea shoes is a crucial element, allowing better control of foot motion and accommodating custom orthotics or specialty insoles that may be used to treat Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

The good arch support built into the shoes aligns the feet, helping maintain a neutral position and minimizing pronation, thereby alleviating pain and discomfort from Baxter's nerve entrapment.

Crafted from premium materials, including supple leather and buttery-soft leather that conforms to your every step, the Chelsea shoes prioritize comfort with a spacious toe box that allows natural toe spreading, reducing pressure on sensitive areas such as bunions and hammertoes. 

The seamless, padded fabric interior prevents irritation, enhancing overall comfort for those with sensitive feet.

What the users say

“LOVE THESE. I hope you’ll get more styles like these in more colors. These shoes fit in with my PR job much better than your other styles. They look modern and not ‘old lady.’ Please make more like these…”

Julie Smith

Men’s Moreno

 

Why you’ll love it

• The right combination of aesthetic appeal and supportive features
• Soft, water-repellent leather uppers

 

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Widths: Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: brown, black

 

On the outside

The Moreno shoes are not just a fashion statement; they are crafted to offer relief and support for those experiencing discomfort related to Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

Crafted from soft and water-repellent leather, the Moreno shoes ensure a non-binding fit, a crucial aspect for individuals with sensitive feet, such as those affected by Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

On the inside

Featuring premium orthotic insoles, these shoes prioritize anatomical arch support, working to alleviate discomfort while actively realigning the foot and improving overall body posture.

The soft, padded fabric interior, free of overlays, eliminates irritation, providing superior protection and comfort.

Designed with a cushioning sole that incorporates a mild rocker design, the Moreno shoes go beyond merely making walking easier - they effectively propel your foot forward, enhancing overall comfort and mobility. 

The rubber outsole ensures advanced grip and excellent stability, making these shoes a reliable choice for those seeking both style and relief from pain and discomfort associated with Baxter's nerve entrapment.

What the users say

“Great dress shoe with all the comfort! A relief to dress up and have a fashionable comfortable shoe to wear. Great shoes!”

Eddie Bridges

Best sandals for Baxter's nerve entrapment

Women’s Juno

Why you’ll love it

• Two-way strap allows for fastening and unfastening on either side of the sandal
• Removable arch support that realigns the foot

 

Specs

• Sizes: 5-12
• Widths: Standard (B) - Wide (D) 
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: black, chocolate

 

On the outside

The cushioning sole of the Juno sandals is a game-changer, featuring a mild rocker design that significantly improves the ease of walking. 

The cushioned sole minimizes the impact on the feet, enhancing walking comfort and reducing strain, especially during the warmer months.

Crafted with a combination of soft leather and fabric, the upper of these sandals provides a non-binding fit, eliminating constraints and facilitating natural foot movement. 

The two-way strap system simplifies the putting on and taking off process, allowing for fastening and unfastening on either side of the shoe - an excellent solution for those with mobility issues.

On the inside

The premium orthotic insoles of the Juno sandals provide anatomical arch support that is not only essential for comfort, but also plays a vital role in realigning the foot and improving overall body posture. 

The insoles are not just a feature; they are removable, offering flexibility and adaptability to individual preferences.

Comfort is a top priority in these sandals, evident in their wide toe box design. This feature ensures that sensitive areas of the foot are spared unnecessary stress, promoting overall comfort during wear and catering specifically to the needs of those dealing with various foot problems.

What the users say

“These shoes are not only stylish, but very comfortable also! The insoles have helped ease the pain I was experiencing when I wore other shoes.”

Carolyn J.

Men’s Gemini

Why you’ll love it

• A smart strap system for a customized, snug fit
• Top-notch cushioning from heel to toe

 

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Widths: Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: soft leather
• Available colors: brown, black 

 

On the outside

The Gemini sandals are constructed with an innovative two-way strap system. This system allows you to choose between opening the sandals from the inside or the outside. 

When opened from the inner side, it creates a wide opening, making it remarkably easy to slip your feet in and out of the sandals. Conversely, the outer strap is designed for fine-tuning the fit, which can be adjusted during initial wear or whenever the need arises. 

The sandals also feature a secure back strap that lovingly cradles your heels, ensuring they stay firmly in place with each step, and a strategically placed strap across the toe area. This additional support enhances stability and prevents any unwanted slipping.

The cushioning sole, featuring a mild rocker design, makes walking easier by minimizing the effort required to lift the front part of the foot. By providing a subtle rocking motion, these sandals facilitate a more natural and effortless stride.

Furthermore, the rubber outsole of the Gemini provides advanced grip and stability, helping you to maintain your balance.

On the inside

The soft leather upper design of these sandals is not only carefully crafted to cater to your unique foot shape, but is also padded with no overlays, to ensure both a snug and a completely comfortable, irritation free fit.

Inside the Gemini sandals there are premium orthotic insoles that dynamically conform to the contours of your feet as you walk. This distributes the pressure evenly across the foot, offering a level of customized support that's essential for those with Baxter's nerve entrapment. 

Additionally, multiple foam layers within the insoles provide top-notch cushioning from heel to toe.

What the users say

“Best pair of sandals EVER. Received as a Christmas gift. Have been a life-long Rockport sandal wearer (a solid, well-respected brand). But my new OrthoFeet Gemini's are like walking on air!”

Matt Foley

How do you untrap Baxter's nerve?

“Only surgery can actually untrap the nerve,” says Dr. Gershman. “However, many cases can be treated with good shoes, orthotics and possibly injections to the nerve.”