Shoes?

hippy

Me again!

I am wondering what effect, if any, shoes have on arthritis conditions. I am desperate to keep moving....I am terrified that I won't be able to tbh.....but while waiting on rheumatology appointment, I am trying all sorts of stuff to see if it helps/doesn't help.

I used to be able to walk without any kind of bother, regardless of what I wore but when all this started, I thought that maybe my footwear was having an impact. I bought walking shoes and they were better than my boots.....but my feet still got sore and achey after a walk. I walk about a mile, twice a day IF I feel up to it. Some days I am just too sore and achey.
I bought a pair of trainers and initially they seemed to help. They were softer than the walking shoes. However, today I am achey and sore. My ankles are screaming at me. I have only walked to the shop and back. (about quarter mile each way)

My mum has said she will buy me a really 'good' pair of trainers for my birthday which is nice......but I am not sure what a good pair of trainers would be! I don't really wear trainers so I am not well versed in what they do.

Anyway, I wondered what people think about footwear if they have arthritic conditions that affect their legs/feet? Is there a good type of shoe to wear? A bad kind?

Sorry for all the questions I put on here. I know I am not much help to others just now. :-(

littlemimmy

I think it's probably something individual to each person, so can only comment on my own situation. I have rheumatoid arthritis, but was originally diagnosed with tailor's bunions. I still don't know whether I actually have bunions or if it was the arthritis, but I definitely suffer with foot pain and arthritis in my ankles.

So for me, I always wear flat shoes (sounds like you do too, which is good), and I wear long boots in the winter and live in flip flops in summer. Many people probably couldn't wear flip flops because of the lack of support, but it really helps me - my feet love to be bare.

I'm currently saving up for a pair of boots from DB Shoes, which was recommended to me by my podiatrist. They specialise in wide fitting shoes (both height and width, which is unusual). Some of their stuff looks like old people's medical shoes, but they do have some lovely 'normal' looking stuff as well. Apparently, their shoes that are made in the UK are best. My podiatrist also said that the 'wide fit' from places like M&S are rubbish!

I hope that helps, and you can find some nice supportive footwear.

Wobbly

Hi I have osteo in quite a few places including my feet says chiropodist!! I go to clarks and wear the un loop shoe i get fitted each time i go as i need to get my orthotics in. I also wear sketchers trainers no laces as they are pre laced with elastic have a cooled memory foam insole and they are lovely - if u buy these from qvc you can buy them wear them for abt 30 days and send them back if u dont like them the only thing at risk is your postage also available from them that you could try is the birkinstok range of flip flops. If you need orthotics built in they do a range called vionic. Or on amazon or look for strive footwear online if you need orthotics built in they have some nice footwear i too wear flats and i buy the same clarks shoes everytime boring but safe ha ha. Hope this helps.
Wobbly xx

Slosh

There is a brand called Hotters which has a good selection of supportive and stylish shoes and sandels etc.

dalek

My ankles and feet are arthritis damaged so I haven't been able to wear heels for about 15 years and can no longer wear slips on, fortunately more sensible shoes are fashionable now.

Unfortunately there is no shoe 'cure' so feet will hurt in the most comfortable shoe.

I use Clarks or Shoon if on sale. Recently got a great pair of boots from Shoon with soft leather. Ecco are nice but just too expensive. Boots are better than shoes but don't buy anything that requires "breaking in", so traditional walking boots are a no no. If they are not comfortable straight off they won't improve.

I have just ordered some lighter weight shows from Hotters for the summer. I am 44 but think I am 32. I don't know how old you are but a lot of the shoes on the Hotter website look very old fashioned (sorry if I have offended anyone) but the ones I ordered looked okish so will try them.

Try www.sportsshoes.com for trainers. They are last years models but reduced. I have found if the trainers were not about £80 before they were reduced they won't be good enough. They also do trainers to walk in as well. Saloman and Columbia are comfortable.

dreamdaisy

It's an individual choice - I've found out the hard way that once the joints in the feet, ankles and knees are affected any kind of footwear will become uncomfortable after a while. My toes are affected by PsA so flip-flops are difficult as they require a gripping action, my knees have both PsA and OA damage and my hips OA. I need shoes with either a strap or laces so they stay on. I used to love my Crocs but no longer, things down there are too far gone. DD

alyssanadine2

I have arthritis in my knee and really struggle with shoes sometimes. I can't wear heavy or slip on shoes they have to tie to my feet like lace ups or have a strap.

I asked the physio last week about trainers and he said that memory foam can be good as although he wouldn't usually recommend them they do help to soak up some of the impact when walking.

I'm currently having a flare up so can't wear wellies to walk the dog because they are too heavy and not supportive so put up with wet feet in trainers!

I hope you find something suitable. It could be worth going to a sports shop who fit you for trainers. I live in Portsmouth and although they cost a fortune I got some trainers fitted after they watched how I walked and did other tests so they gave the right support.

Alyssa

WyleECoyote

I hear you about foot pain. Fortunately mine hasn't progressed to my ankles. I would really recommend a visit to a chiropodist/podiatrist or foot clinic before your mum makes her outlay on good shoes. I have pronated feet and ASICS Kyano are highly recommended for that particular condition. I even buy a size up so I can put quality insoles in for even more arch support. Superfeet make good orthotic insoles that wear well over time. They're not cheap but I don't think there are any good cheap orthotics out there.

Lighter more supportive shoes should make a world of difference to your feet. it's something to look forward too.

For day to day I wear white Adidas Gazelles with my Superfeet insoles inside them. They aren't as good as the ASICS but certainly prettier and I can scoot around the place pretty well in them.

palo

I have had wide feet all my life and had to stop wearing heels 18 years ago.

I find deck shoes the most comfortable, light and lace up so stay in place. My wide feet always distort slip-ons which end up being slip-offs...

I have tried trainers - too heavy, just wear me out so quickly,
gel soles - same problem.

Kays did a great pair - my first pair of comfortable shoes at the age of 30! But that was over 20 years ago.

frogmorton

Years ago somebody from here recommended this site:

http://www.julipa.com/shop/footwear/1/_/N-1ytw09g/products/show.action#/shop/shoes/footwear/1/_/N-1ytw09f/products/show.action

They do up to eee fittings I think and have some nice 'normal-looking' shoes for special occasions.

I hope you can find yourself some nice walking boots/trainers. There are definitely some on the above site.

Love

Toni xxx

mig

Have a look at wider fit shoes or sandpiper.

hippy

I forgot I had posted this! Some fab suggestions there. I shall have a look around.

Someone mentioned a sports shop. That reminded me, I have a pair of trainers under the stairs that I got fitted for a few years ago, for running in (oh....god....running....wassat???? :-) ) They should hopefully still have some life in them. I was advised they have 5000 miles in them! I don't know how many miles I ran but it wasn't 5000. I got sciatica and had to give it up. I shall look them out tomorrow. Worth a try.

Airwave!

I was talking to the orthotics lady the other day she says the 'wedge' shape (as a trainer type or textile walking shoe) is best, more cushioned, supportive along the foot and the bend is in a better place rather than the foot supported in two places with traditional shoes.

There can be a question of denial and shoes show this up well, 'I can't wear my red shoes anymore!' The answer is to admit that arther is about and take positive steps. 'I can't' is a negative phrase. Most of us seem to go through this.

stickywicket

Airwave! wrote:

The answer is to admit that arther is about and take positive steps.

We need good shoes for that, Airwave

hippy

Thankfully I have never been one for glamouress shoes! I have one foot a full size bigger than the other. One measures a 4.5 and the other is a 5.5! I have never bought two pairs of shoes....could never afford it! Luckily size 5 sits in the middle. However, I have always stuck to rounder toes and wider fitting. Even at parties...I wear ballet pumps!

Airwave!

Define 'good' shoes, only a professional could do this? As for ballet shoes, about as much good as a limp lettuce leaf! :!: Notice I didn't include a chocolate teapot because that can be eaten, so must be useful.

hippy

Why would only a professional be able to say what a good pair of shoes were? Surely the real experts in any condition are the sufferers themselves?

As for ballet pumps....no, I don't suppose they would be particularly good for any sort of support......but as a pair of party shoes that would be worn for a few hours, they are actually really comfy, especially if you get those little elasticated ones that some people carry in their handbags. Just like a little pair of slippers.

Incidentally.....the trainers I had forgotten about from under the stairs, are actually not too bad! It may be coincidence, it may not....but my ankles and knees are better the last fewdays. However, that may just mean I am having a good few days....only time will tell.