Help my dad get back on skates!

[Philly Fly-hairs 0]

hey all,

this may be a pipe dream, but im need of some of someone more knowledgable on skates than myself. I am 24 years old and have played hockey my whole life. My dad used to play hockey as well and even worked for many years at the spectrum during the 70's. When i was 3 years old he had a bad construction accident and fell 4 stories and shattered both of his heels completly. After many surgeries and years of rehab he still has difficulty with his feet. He always was the one who took me to my games and practices and even coached some of my teams, and i have always wished he could get back to skating so we could skate together because it would mean so much to me. Since hockey is our special father/son bond

My question is does anybody know of any type of padding,insole,or gel that can be used in a skate for someone with bad feet... i have searched online and know a good deal about skates but not to this extent. I havent gotten a chance to go to my LHS yet, but i figured its worth a shot. My dad has to always use special insoles for shoes or boots but for skates. any help would be greatly appreciated

[vapor lover 0]

what rubo said was true, however i think hes talking about actually playing hockey. wouldnt public skating be ok as long as he isnt pushing it? as for skates like that, i dont really have any idea. he might be able to get a custom boot, but that would cost alot, and unless he is really eager to continue idk if it would be really worth it, plus taking into acount what rubo said about injuring the feet even more

[JJStripes 1]

Come on Rubo. I don't think he is planning to force his father to endure pain and further injury for personal gain. He wants his father to get to have the pleasure of skating again. That's why he is seeking ways to make it comfortable and good for his feet.

[Philly Fly-hairs 0]

@rubo

thanks but your making it sound like im trying to hurt my old man, and im aware of much of what you said since i play hockey. I should of clarified that this was something he was also curious about (not me forcing him to do)

what rubo said was true, however i think hes talking about actually playing hockey. wouldnt public skating be ok as long as he isnt pushing it? as for skates like that, i dont really have any idea. he might be able to get a custom boot, but that would cost alot, and unless he is really eager to continue idk if it would be really worth it, plus taking into acount what rubo said about injuring the feet even more

yeah thats the complicated part.. i dont want to see him make the feet worse which is probaly what would happen,

[Philly Fly-hairs 0]

The reason I’m being harsh on your ass is because I’m trying to help you. Even slight activity like public skating involves a lot of control and balance, which puts stress on your joints, ligaments, tendons. Every time you try to turn or try to stop there is even more pressure and a lot of pressure on the heel, that’s why heel spurs occur, the inner sole of a skate is very stiff compared to a sneaker, sure you can add a lot of cushioning, but the biggest issue is your balancing your full body on a thin blade. So even if he doesn’t feel anything during skating the after effect math be a lot worse, and if he falls during skating on his tail bone that’s a serious injury. You also have to take into account if he was active at all during the last few years with any athletic activity at all

Do a little experiment have him do very light and slow running for maybe 20 minutes and then see how he feels the next two days?

Cheers.

we'll have to try, i should have mentioned also that he is seeing his doctor before we would even try anything, we were curious, it kind of came up the other day when we were talking about his old days playing and how we never got to enjoy skating together, so i appreciate the input... thanks man

[ktang 34]

Maybe a hinged boot (like the old Micron Quadriflexes) might move pressure away from the heels, and more towards the shins, ankles, and forefeet.

Or a boot with the moldable inside foam and hard outside shell.

Or, as Rubo is warning you, maybe this may not be possible. I think it depends on the locations and severity of the heel damage. I know one guy who broke his heel sliding into the boards, and he is still able to play. Another guy who broke his heel can't skate at all.

[Vet88 674]

Good on you and your dad for wanting to give it a try. However I don't think there is any cheap solution. I'd say he needs to see a good foot doctor who knows a lot about skating and can evaluate your dad's feet for fitting custom orthotics or a custom boot. Alternatively the doc may say it can't be done, at least then you will have seen someone who knows what can and can't happen.

After this I'd say expectations will be your biggest hurdle. Given his past ability, would he be happy just plodding round a rink at a public skate if that was all he could do?

[Philly Fly-hairs 0]

thanks again everyone for the input.... as far as it being something feasible, that remains to be seen... i honestly dont think it will be able to happen, the fall he had really F'd up his feet, and we both know its really something that would be tough to happen. but when you have a dad like him who has always shared the passion of hockey with both of his sons from the time we were little, taking us to those 5 am practices and watching you score your first goal, and helping you when you need the encouragement, the long road trips for tourneys, etc.. you cant help but to want to actually share a good memory of being on the rink together...