If you’re living with arthritis, whether it’s in your knees, hips, or directly in your feet and ankles, you know that finding the right shoes can be the difference between staying late and staying home. And the wrong pair? Between a manageable ache and an excruciating flare-up. We at Podiatry Center of New Jersey know that footwear maketh the foot, especially when it comes to managing arthritis. So, here are some pointers for paying attention to the shoes you rock.

The Shoes That Hurt Your Joints

You should try to avoid footwear that compromises stability or concentrates pressure, as these are the main ways to aggravate arthritis:

  • High Heels: These are a major culprit. They throw your entire body weight forward onto the balls of your feet, hyper-extend your knees, and shift your center of gravity. If you don’t want unnatural stress on the joints in your forefoot, ankles, and knees, then try to avoid heels.
  • Flimsy, Flat Shoes: Opposite end of the spectrum: think ballet flats, worn-out sneakers, or thin, unsupportive flip-flops. They offer zero cushion. This means the force of walking on hard surfaces is sent directly up your legs to your arthritic joints and increases inflammation.
  • Tight or Narrow Shoes: Shoes that squeeze the front of your foot can worsen existing deformities like bunions or hammertoes, which are sometimes caused or exacerbated by arthritis in the first place!
  • Slick or Worn-Out Soles: Shoes with poor traction are a major fall risk. A slip or fall can result in a fracture or severe sprain, which can be devastating for joints already compromised by arthritis. This is especially important for seniors and their increased fall risk!

The Shoes That Help Your Joints

When choosing footwear, your goal is maximum cushion, comfort, stability, and pressure distribution.

  • Supportive Athletic Shoes: These are excellent for daily wear. Look for shoes with a thick, cushioned midsole (the foam part) to absorb impact. A wide toe box is also beneficial, as it allows your toes to move naturally.
  • Rocker-Bottom or Rigid-Sole Shoes: If you have severe arthritis in a specific joint, shoes with a slightly rounded or rigid sole can help. They reduce the need for that painful joint to bend while walking.
  • Stable Boots: For ankle arthritis, a lace-up boot that provides firm support around the joint is great. This external stability mutes painful sideways movement and gives your joints a chance to rest.
  • Shoes With Removable Insoles: Your most important move might be custom orthotics. You should choose shoes with a removable insole so that you can easily fit your custom orthotics inside. These orthotics provide personalized padding for your arthritic joints – and they’ll correct your alignment while doing so.

If you have more questions about foot care or want to address specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert team at Podiatry Center of New Jersey! Give us a call at (973) 925-4111 or make an appointment online.