How To Choose Shoes For Osteoarthritis

Look for shoes that absorb shock. Try to go for shoes with a cushioned surface for your feet to lessen impact on your joints.^[8]

Avoid heavy soles. Although they may be a good choice for individuals with arthritis in other joints, shoes with very heavy soles like clogs and stability athletic shoes can actually worsen pain in the knees. This may be due to the way these shoes alter the gait, which may increase the pressure on the knees.^[9]

Try flexible walking shoes. Flat walking shoes that have a bit of flex to the sole are ideal for people who suffer from osteoarthritis in their knees. Unlike shoes with heavy soles, these will not cause unnecessary strain on your knee joint.^[10]

Give less supportive shoes a try. While it may sound counterintuitive, shoes like flip flops may actually be more comfortable for people with knee pain than overly supportive shoes like clogs because they create less strain for the knee joint.^[11]