Part3Choosing Shoes for Osteoarthritis in Your Feet and Ankles
Part3
1Wear supportive boots. If you have pain in your ankles, boots can provide the support you need. Look for fashion and hiking boots that extend just above your ankle and provide support to stop your ankle from wobbling. If your ankle is firmly supported, this will limit the movement in that joint, making walking less painful.Make sure the boots are not so tight around your ankles that they prevent you from walking normally.
2Avoid open-backed shoes. When you wear shoes with open backs, your toes have to grip the soles of the shoes, which can cause pain and discomfort in your feet. If you plan on wearing clogs or sandals, choose ones that have full backs or straps to hold your heels in place.[12]Flip flops are especially bad because they provide very little stability.
3Look for wide shoes. Osteoarthritis can cause bone spurs and bunions to develop at the base of the big toe. Wider shoes are often more comfortable for people who have OA in their feet because they do not rub against these tender areas.[13]Box toe shoes are often much more comfortable than shoes that have a pointy toe.
4Be aware of where the shoe binds. Many people who have osteoarthritis develop bone spurs on the tops of the feet. The pain from these bone spurs can be exacerbated if your shoe binds tightly in the same area. Try to avoid shoes that have laces or buckles in areas where you have bone spurs.[14]Shoes with laces and adjustable straps are better than those with fixed buckles because they can be loosened to alleviate the pain. Just be sure they are fastened tight enough that your ankle is stable.[15]
5Make sure they don't restrict your feet. Your shoes should not pinch your feet or contort them into an unnatural shape. Make sure you have at least one centimeter between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. They should also be roomy enough that they do not pinch your feet when they swell slightly.[16]
