Ready to feel empowered when taking on your everyday life without foot drop getting in the way?
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often leads to mobility challenges (such as foot drop) which makes walking difficult. MS foot drop shoes, like Cadense shoes, are designed to help people with foot drop improve their walking by allowing them to slide their feet forward more easily.
By the way — have we met? Hi, I'm Dr. Gretchen, a physical therapist and MS-certified specialist. I've dedicated my career to understanding Multiple Sclerosis and helping individuals overcome its symptoms. Through my work, I provide MS-specific exercises, easy-to-understand educational videos, and a supportive community to enhance the quality of life for those with MS. Thousands of people have improved their everyday lives using these research-backed strategies, finding renewed hope and confidence in their ability to continue progressing and living life to its fullest.
I can’t wait to walk you through (literally and figuratively) how to train and improve your everyday walk using MS foot drop shoes.
As a physical therapist and MS specialist, Cadense shoes are a brand of MS foot drop shoes that I’ve tested and love. Unlike regular tennis shoes or sneakers, these shoes are specifically created to assist individuals with mobility challenges, such as foot drop. The design of these shoes is special because it allows for smoother movement between each step.
To learn more about foot drop and how you can regain mobility, check out my post here.
For those who struggle to lift their foot and confidently put it forward, Cadense shoes allow for a glide instead. The shoes are particularly helpful in reducing tripping and uneven wear from dragging the foot, meaning you can find greater balance and walking stability instantly.
If you’re curious to try out Cadense shoes for yourself, my code: DRGRETCHEN10 will get you 10% off your purchase!
Cadense shoes are an excellent choice to help manage your MS symptoms and take on everyday life with confidence, but they do take time to adjust. Initially, taking steps may feel awkward or uneasy, but with practice, it will become second nature to wear these shoes.
Here are tips I recommend to my patients when they first get started wearing Cadense shoes:
When first wearing Cadense shoes, it's important to focus on the timing of your steps. If one leg moves faster than the other, your walk may appear uneven. To avoid this, aim to spend around two to three seconds sliding each leg forward. This helps create a smooth and even gait.
Once you’ve mastered timing, the next step is to adjust your stride length. If you’re taking short, hesitant steps at first, try to gradually extend them. Your stride should feel natural and comfortable. With time and practice, your steps will become longer and more confident.
Balance plays a crucial role in walking confidently with Cadense shoes. If you're overly cautious, it may lead to more instability. Practice walking indoors until you feel secure. Over time, as your balance improves, you’ll feel more confident, reducing the risk of tripping or falling.
To truly feel comfortable in Cadense shoes, practice walking on different surfaces, such as grass, gravel, or uneven terrain. This will help your brain adapt to different environments, giving you the confidence to walk safely in a variety of settings.
While Cadense shoes are great for walking and stationary exercises, avoid wearing them for dynamic exercises that involve rapid leg movements. Stationary exercises, where your feet remain planted, are ideal because the shoes provide enough friction to keep you stable. For exercises requiring movement, like lunges or burpees, it’s safer to switch to other shoes or go barefoot to prevent unwanted sliding.
Cadense shoes aid walking with foot drop, but don't neglect exercises to strengthen leg and ankle muscles. Relying solely on the shoes without working to improve your foot drop could hinder long-term progress in managing foot drop. Using the shoes along with foot drop-specific exercises is a great combination that can yield massive improvements in walking.
The good news? You can exercise with Cadense shoes on.
Cadense shoes are excellent for stationary exercises where your feet remain in place, such as squats or heel raises. In these exercises, the friction created between the shoes and the ground keeps you stable, reducing the risk of sliding. While it will take time to get adjusted to this type of movement, eventually you can begin to trust the shoes and feel confident exercising with foot drop.
However, they aren’t recommended for exercises involving a lot of movement, like lunges or jumping jacks, because their sliding feature can cause instability. If you plan to do dynamic exercises, consider wearing regular sneakers or going barefoot to maintain better traction and control during your workouts.
There are specific exercises that I recommend to my clients that can help improve your walking while wearing MS foot drop shoes. Some great options to begin with include:
If you’re just beginning to exercise with Cadense shoes, or want to feel additional confidence while exercising, I recommend having a mobility aid (like a cane, walker or rollator) nearby. A solid piece of furniture can also be a great option to grab if you feel unbalanced during your movement.
There are certain situations where wearing MS foot drop shoes may not be ideal. For instance, if you're walking on extremely smooth surfaces, like marble or polished tiles, the shoes' sliding feature can make them feel slippery. To avoid instability, you can try shifting more body weight onto the leg that’s moving forward, which will increase friction and help reduce the risk of slipping.
However, if the surface remains too slick or you're performing activities that involve rapid leg movements—like dancing, running, or intense cardio exercises—it's best to switch to more stable footwear to avoid falls or injuries.
Many of my clients have asked if these shoes can help them transition from using a mobility aid, like a cane, to walking without one. While MS foot drop shoes can help, it’s important to combine their use with balance and strengthening exercises. Over time, as you gain confidence, you may rely less on your cane and feel more confident walking in the Cadense shoes.
Even if you don’t have foot drop, but have issues like numbness in your feet, these shoes might still help. The sliding feature can make walking easier if lifting your leg is difficult because you’re able to use the slide feature to guide your body forward. However, if you can already move your leg easily without dragging your foot, the shoes may not offer as much benefit.
MS foot drop shoes, such as Cadense shoes, can be a valuable tool for improving your walking and reducing the risk of tripping. However, it's essential to practice with them, starting indoors and progressing to various surfaces and environments. When exercising, focus on stationary movements, and always prioritize safety by using a mobility aid when needed.
If you're interested in trying Cadense shoes, my code: DRGRETCHEN10 will get you 10% off your purchase! With consistent practice, you’ll gain the confidence and stability needed to move more freely, both in your home and outside.
To help strengthen your body to feel more confident wearing Cadense shoes, I highly recommend utilizing with my Total Core Program! Together, we will work through simple movements that can create a stronger core to make moving, posture, and back pain much more manageable.
Do you have any further questions on how Cadense shoes can help walking with hip drop? Please feel free to DM me on Instagram @doctor.gretchen.
Have you ever felt unsteady or wondered if there’s a way to make walking easier on days when your body just doesn’t feel as strong? Trekking poles for MS can be the perfect solution! Check out how how these simple, adaptable poles can help make walking feel easier and more natural here.
Looking for the perfect gift to show someone you care while supporting their MS journey? Whether you’re treating yourself or giving loved ones some helpful ideas, here is a list of MS-approved gifts that add a little more ease and joy to your days. Trust me, there is something for everyone on here!
Dr. Gretchen Hawley's The MSing Link offers a comprehensive guide to taking control of your MS symptoms and improving your mobility through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
6000+ copies sold in over 13 countries!
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As a physical therapist & Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist, I have spent the last 10 years teaching people with MS how to feel more confident & empowered through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
If you want support and encouragement, plus a healthy dose of tough love, come follow me on Instagram (@doctor.gretchen) or on YouTube @DoctorGretchenHawley. It's where I share daily tips, tricks, and information about new offers — plus, you’re bound to feel more empowered, hopeful, & motivated after watching each post and video!
Questions? Email me at Hello@DoctorGretchenHawley.com