foot wear and hip arthritis

l2ou
l2ou Member Posts: 6
edited 22. Jul 2012, 04:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hey guys,
I am new to the forum and am dying to ask you all for your hints, tip and experience of the right foot where for hip arthritis? I want to keep as active as poss and I do a small amount of running...under supervision of a physio...but what I really need is advice on shoes. I have just bought ASICS Women's Lahar T1G6N Gel Trail Running Shoes...was advised buy the guys in the shop...but there is this ideas as follows

Researchers at Rush University Medical College measured the stress on arthritic knees and hips of different kinds of shoes – and were surprised to find that the worst shoes were the most ‘supportive’ ones, according to a team led by rheumatologist Najia Shakoor, MD.(1)

Heavy, cushy, arch-supporting “stability” shoes and clogs that have stiff soles and don’t bend exerted the most harmful force on the knees. (These were the shoes the Rush page on “Proper Footwear” was touting just a few months ago.)

The best shoes are very flat, lightweight, and flexible – the ones that most resemble going barefoot, with flip-flops best of all. These being the very ones that the Proper Footwear page had warned against for lacking cushioning and shock absorption.


So my two questions are
1. which shoes?
2. who is the best person to get advice on shoes?

Really looking forward to hearing from you all

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, this topic crops up again and again probably because everyone is different in what they need, like and what suits. I think it is very much a case of trial and error, personal preference and which joints are affected. I have arthritic feet (which are flat so flatties are out for me) ankles and knees so I need quite sturdy and robust footwear, stuff that absorbs the impact of what I laughingly call 'walking'. If you do a search on this forum using the word 'shoes' every thread there has been should pop up - happy reading and I hope you can find something to suit you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Sorry cant help with the shoes bit of it but welcome to the forum
    Love
    Hileena
  • l2ou
    l2ou Member Posts: 6
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks guys, yes i kind of thought this would be a old subject, will look up shoes for sure. many thanks Lou
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My physio quite a few years ago now, told me to go barefoot whenever possible, it really does make sense, if your gait isn't right then everything is thrown out, many people go over on there shoes, this in itself can cause more wear to the knees and hips.
    It all very interesting , in America they have machine to test how you walk, they have them here but I think you have to go private.
    Love
    Barbara
  • niecee
    niecee Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have OA in my Hip. I can wear flats too often as it causes me pain in my ankle because of the way i have to walk. I generally try to find wedge hees not too high and sometimes cushion walk shoes. My issue is im use to wearing 3 inch heels and trendy shoes with OA that goes out the window and i hate it. I only wear traousers now as the shoes i wear only suit those. Vain i know but im only 44 and i want to keep young even though my body feels 94.
  • millie78
    millie78 Member Posts: 71
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just to demonstrate the difference in advice my podiatrist told me never to go barefoot! I thought it was good for me and so always went barefoot at home, but not for my feet! Since I've had insoles specially made and shoes from a company called hotters I've suffered much less. I have ra in all joints and oa in foot caused by ra.
    I find I need my really sturdy shoes well strapped to my feet to prevent my toes moving too much, I could never consider a slip on or a sandal sadly :(
  • vwkamper
    vwkamper Member Posts: 132
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I wear what I can get on which is flip-flops and croc's (real brand ) not cheap ones and my slippers are slip on memory foam soles.

    Like they say depends on your comfort and how you walk!

    lexy.
    P.M.A Positive Mental Attitude.
  • knuckleduster
    knuckleduster Member Posts: 551
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi - and what a lovely sunny morning it is!

    I used to live in my trainers before I had my hip done but now sadly find post op that I cannot walk in them. They just don't seem to bend enough and I find the cushiony (no such word, I know) insoles too thick. I tend to wear Hotter shoes now (although my daughter did exclaim "God mum what are you wearing on your feet, they're old peoples shoes".) I've always been a bare foot person around the house and garden and although my chiropodist has advised me not to do this and wear insoles in my shoes, I find walking so much easier barefoot especially since I've had my hip replaced because I don't know where I'm putting my feet unless I can feel the floor (hope you can work out what I mean). So I would advise you to wear what you feel comfortable in which gives good support to your ankles as well. Hope you find the shoes you are looking for.

    Janet 8)