We have plenty of fairy tales about shoes that work magic in people’s lives: glass slippers that brought love to Cinderella, and sparkly red heels that gave Dorothy powers in MGM’s version of The Wizard of Oz.
In real life, footwear magic is limited to “unloading” shoes that may help relieve knee pain from osteoarthritis. These unloading shoes have stiffer soles, and slightly tilted insoles that reposition the foot, intended to reduce (or unload) strain on the knee. But a study published online July 12, 2016, in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that unloading shoes are no better than a good pair of walking shoes at making pain disappear.
About the study
Researchers randomly assigned 164 people with knee arthritis (age 50 or older) to wear either new unloading shoes or new conventional walking shoes every day for six months. By the end of the study, it appeared that both types of shoes were equally effective at reducing pain and improving physical function, with pain reduced an average of about 25%, and function improved by about 22%. It didn’t prove that both shoes are equally effective, but an editorial accompanying the study says the findings highlight “the promise of simple biomechanical interventions” to address knee pain.
Both shoes used in the study cost $180. But custom-made unloading shoes, and even custom-made insoles that can be inserted into a shoe, can cost many hundreds of dollars.
What to look for in a walking shoe
If you’re going to try a walking shoe to reduce your knee pain, look for certain features, such as:
- a “stability-type” sneaker with a rigid sole and supportive insole
- a slightly curved “rocker” sole that helps distribute the body more weight evenly as you walk. This sole may not be right for you if you have balance problems.
And remember that fit is important, too. Seek out:
- a wide, roomy toe area (what shoe salespeople call the toe box)
- length at least half an inch beyond your longest toe
- a sturdy area around your heel (called a heel counter), so your foot stays in place and doesn’t slip around, which can cause friction and pain.
“Most of the sneaker brands make this shoe (New balance, Brooks, Saucony, Asics), so they are widely available. The take home here is that any supportive, rocker-bottom type shoe makes walking with knee osteoarthritis easier,” says Dr. Holly Johnson, an orthopaedic surgeon and instructor at Harvard Medical School. “The other important thing is that keeping physically active is so crucial to bone and joint health. If the shoes make people feel better when they walk, and therefore they walk more, this leads to so many health benefits. Find something comfortable and go with it.”
Other options
Walking shoes aren’t the only way to relieve knee pain without surgery. “I see success stories without surgery every day,” says Dr. Clare Safran-Norton, Clinical Supervisor of Rehabilitation Services at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Her top recommendations include:
- Physical therapy: Dr. Safron-Norton suggests that a person with knee arthritis undergo at least three months of physical therapy as a first line of treatment. The program should include a series of exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles that support the knee.
- Weight loss: Shedding pounds reduces the pressure you place on your knee. That’s significant, since the force you place on your joints can be up to six times your body weight.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can temporarily reduce pain and swelling, which can make it less painful to take part in physical therapy.
- Acupuncture: The studies about whether acupuncture relieves knee pain are mixed, but Safran-Norton says the treatment is helpful to some people. “If the problem is pain, it may work. If the problem is biomechanical or weak muscles, it probably won’t.”
- Supplements: Research has provided mixed results on chondroitin and glucosamine supplements to relieve pain, but Safran-Norton says some of her patients feel the pills make a difference. Chondroitin sulfate helps to keep cartilage from deteriorating. Glucosamine stimulates cartilage formation and repair.
Don’t expect these things to work magic overnight. “You’ll feel a difference after going to physical therapy once or twice a week for two-to-four weeks,” says Safran-Norton. The rest of the methods are used best in conjunction with physical therapy, not in place of it, she advises.
With a little trial and error, you have a good chance of finding knee pain relief without surgery — and you may get a fairy tale ending. If knee pain persists, you may need to speak with an orthopaedic expert about surgery. But save that for a last resort.
FAQs
The take home here is that any supportive, rocker-bottom type shoe makes walking with knee osteoarthritis easier,” says Dr. Holly Johnson, an orthopaedic surgeon and instructor at Harvard Medical School. “The other important thing is that keeping physically active is so crucial to bone and joint health.
What can you do for unbearable osteoarthritis pain? ›
Apply ice or heat for pain, and talk to a doctor about taking NSAIDs. How a specialist can help: They can recommend specific exercises and/or physical therapy, and provide assistive devices like canes. They also prescribe oral and topical medications, as well as injections, starting with cortisone shots.
What is the newest treatment for osteoarthritis? ›
A new drug called talarozole may help boost levels of retinoic acid in the body. Retinoic acid has been shown to suppress inflammation and joint cartilage damage caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis — a painful condition leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling — impacts 32 million US adults.
How can I stop my knee osteoarthritis from progressing? ›
Your joints are made to move, and getting regular physical activity is one of the best ways to maintain joint health and slow the progression of OA. The key: Focus on low-impact exercises, like swimming, walking, and cycling, and avoid high-impact sports involving jumping or repetitive impact to your feet.
What is the number 1 treatment for osteoarthritis? ›
Exercise. Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. Your physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen your muscles and exercises to improve your general fitness.
What is the gold standard drug for osteoarthritis? ›
Diacerein- A gold standard analgesic in management of osteoarthritis.
What is the breakthrough of osteoarthritis in 2024? ›
In 2024, the world of joint replacement and osteoarthritis treatment is undergoing a transformative period. Minimally invasive procedures, 3D-printed implants, and regenerative therapies are revolutionizing patient care.
What is the best painkiller for osteoarthritis? ›
NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling. The problem is that some of those enzymes also help blood to clot and protect the lining of your stomach.
What is the medical breakthrough for osteoarthritis? ›
Building upon this unexpected finding, the researchers showed that deletion of Nav1. 7, through genetic manipulation from mouse chondrocytes, substantially reduces joint damage and associated pain in two separate models of osteoarthritis.
What is the #1 mistake that makes bad knees worse? ›
The outcome can be discomfort, pain, and a higher propensity for knee injury. In this article, Dr. Marc Jacobchick helps to unpack the #1 mistake that makes bad knees worse – a lack of exercise.
Repetitive Motions
Repetitive motions can further damage your knee joints which may already be weakened by osteoarthritis. Activities may include work-related tasks, hobbies, or exercise. If repetitive motions are unavoidable, you may want to take frequent breaks and use good form to reduce joint damage.
How can I lubricate my knees naturally? ›
The more you move, the more lubrication moves through your joints. Movements may include simple warm ups before starting your workout, gentle stretching and exercise. Hydration is another key element to keeping your joints lubricated.
Is osteoarthritis knee pain constant? ›
In most but not all cases, the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis come and go, becoming gradually worse and more frequent over a number of years. There may be a persistent, dull ache, accompanied by flare-ups of more intense pain after certain activities that strain the knee joint (such as walking up stairs).
What is the root cause of osteoarthritis in the knee? ›
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.
Why am I in so much pain with my osteoarthritis? ›
As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage. In most cases, your body repairs the damage itself and you do not experience any symptoms. But in osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint.
Can osteoarthritis be excruciating? ›
In severe OA, most of the cartilage protecting the joints has worn away. This can cause increased severity of symptoms, including persistent pain and stiffness that may make it difficult to carry out everyday activities. People may also experience pain at night.
