Are Your Feet Aching From Arthritis? You May Need New Shoes.

With all the merriment of the holidays, do your feet throb and ache at the end of the day? Perhaps you should put shoes on your holiday wish list!

Taking care of your feet can help reduce pain in your knees and hips, and sometimes it’s as simple as buying the correct shoes.

Older Adults Often Suffer with Foot Pain

About 87 percent of Americans experience foot pain during their lifetime, and one-third of seniors suffer from aching feet and stiffness. Arthritis can affect joints in the ankle and foot, making it difficult to complete daily tasks.

Wearing the wrong shoe can exacerbate foot pain and affect your mobility. Choosing properly fitted shoes can reduce foot strain and reduce pressure on your knees and hips.

“Your body needs a well-built, stable foundation,” says Gary W. Stewart, MD, a board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon in Atlanta and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “That means choosing and then actually wearing footwear that’s right for your particular foot type and joint issues.”

What Shoes Are on the Naughty List?

Many types of shoes can cause foot pain, even if you don’t have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Your shoes need to provide proper support and weight distribution, or you can expect to develop foot problems.

High heels — High, narrow heels put pressure on the forefoot and toes. Besides causing foot discomfort and toe deformity, high heels can increase your risk of injury and fractures.

Flip-flops — Although they are convenient, flip-flops can change the biodynamics of the foot and can cause inflammation and tendonitis.

Casual shoes without support — You have probably bought casual shoes for their appearance instead of comfort, and your feet paid the price. Function is more important than fashion.

Boots — It isn’t just boots with higher heels that you should avoid. Flat boots with no arch support or cushioning will certainly cause foot fatigue.

What Shoes Are on the Nice List?

Now that you know what types of shoes you shouldn’t buy, here are some guidelines from the Arthritis Foundation on how to choose good shoes that will support and cushion your feet:

Athletic Shoes

Almost everyone wears athletic shoes. There are two categories: neutral and stability.

If you have normal to high arches, you may do well with a lightweight, neutral shoe with a cushioned heel.

Stability athletic shoes help control foot movement and prevent the ankles from rolling inward. They take the pressure off the ball of the foot by adding cushioning in the midsole. Generally, stability shoes work well for people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the ankle, hip, foot or knee.

Dress Shoes

Men should look for shoes that bend only in the front, and shoes with a wider toe box. Some dress shoes even have rocker bottoms that take pressure off the feet and knees. Other dress shoes feature a steel bar that runs the length of the shoe and provides stability.

Ladies, you can still wear heels, but let’s be sensible. No shoe should have a heel height more than 1.5 to 2 inches, and it should have a wide rubber sole to prevent you from rolling your ankle.

Do This Before Buying a New Pair of Walking Shoes

The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends that you should replace your athletic shoes after 300 to 500 miles of walking, or when you notice deep creasing in your shoes. If you don’t replace your shoes regularly, you may be missing out on the support and shock absorption that a new pair of shoes can provide.

Here are a few tips to select the right walking shoes, especially if you have arthritis:

1. Go to the shoe store when your feet hurt and feel swollen. If you like how a shoe fits when your feet hurt, you’ll like it even better when your feet feel good.
2. Shop at a store that has clerks who will help you try on shoes. You don’t want to rush into a decision.
3. Ask to try on cross-trainers. They are a little heavier than running shoes, but they are suitable for walking and moderately intense exercise.
4. Look for shoes with a wider toe box, especially if you have joint issues like bunions or hammertoes. You want to find a shoe that is firm but also roomy and comfortable.
5. Walk around in the shoes for a while. Some storefront shops offer a 30-day guarantee on athletic shoes.
6. Try putting a shoe insert in one shoe and compare it to how the opposite shoe feels. Sometimes, shoe inserts can alleviate foot pain and prevent injury.

Easy Ways to Ease Foot Pain

On average, you spend about half of your waking hours standing up, so even the most comfortable shoes can cause joint stiffness and discomfort.

After a long day, it’s important to properly rest your feet, knees and hips:

1. Take off your shoes and elevate your feet. You can do this by setting your feet on top of some stacked pillows on the couch or bed.
2. Ask a family member for a foot massage.
3. Soak your feet in Epsom salts.
4. Lie down and rest your upper body on the floor while elevating your legs and feet on a wall.

Do You Need to See an Orthopedist?

Anyone can develop arthritis, but some people have increased risk based on age, gender and health history. Joint injury, smoking and infections can also make you more likely to develop any of the 100 types of arthritis.

Talk to your doctor about persistent foot or joint pain. Your physician may suggest exercise, weight loss or physical therapy. However, you cannot regain cartilage, so you may need an orthopedic surgeon.

An orthopedist can evaluate your symptoms, take X-rays and make recommendations for treatment. If you have already tried medication and physical therapy, you may be a candidate for total joint replacement.

A total knee or total hip replacement replaces the damaged joint with a prosthetic implant, which reduces pain and improves your range of motion. Our surgeons perform most procedures at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), which is much more cost-effective than a hospital.

The best gift of the season is good health, so let us help you find an orthopedic center in your area.