The preferred shoe type opening for a patient with severe edema is:

The preferred shoe type opening for a patient with severe edema is often a lace-to-toe design. This type of shoe construction allows for a wider adjustment range and can accommodate significant swelling in the foot and ankle. The lacing system enables the wearer to customize the fit by loosening or tightening the shoe as needed, providing both comfort and support.

In the case of severe edema, flexibility in the shoe design is crucial. The lace-to-toe style extends the lacing area to the front of the shoe, allowing for better access and further expansion, which is essential for patients whose foot size may change throughout the day.

Although options like Velcro provide easy closure, they may not offer the same degree of customizability for fit adjustments compared to lace-to-toe shoes, especially in cases of fluctuating edema. Balmoral and Blucher styles may imply different types of closures and constructions, but they might not provide the optimal adjustability for severe swelling that lace-to-toe designs inherently offer.