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.
What is the life expectancy of a person with osteoarthritis? ›
There is no cure for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and typically patients live approximately 30-years with the disease. Most common medical treatments result in short-term palliation of symptoms with little consideration of long-term risk.
What is the end stage of osteoarthritis in the knee? ›
Stage 4 OA is considered severe. People in stage 4 OA of the knee experience great pain and discomfort when they walk or move the joint. That's because the joint space between bones is dramatically reduced. The cartilage is almost completely gone, leaving the joint stiff and possibly immobile.
Why am I in so much pain with my osteoarthritis? ›
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. Bony growths can develop, and the area can become swollen and red.
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.
Can you walk stage 4 osteoarthritis? ›
Patients in stage 4 have a difficult time walking and using stairs because they are battling persistent inflammation and a lack of synovial fluid and cartilage to cushion the joint. At the first signs of knee pain and discomfort, do not hesitate to consult with one of our talented, fellowship trained knee specialists.
What is the name of the wonder drug used to treat arthritis? ›
Methotrexate is one of the mainstays of treatment for inflammatory forms of arthritis. It not only reduces pain and swelling, but it can actually slow joint damage and disease progression over time.
What is the most common cause of death in osteoarthritis patients? ›
The risk of cardiovascular excess deaths increases with duration of knee and hip osteoarthritis. The major contributors are chronic ischemic heart diseases and heart failure.
It is a long-term and progressive condition which affects people's mobility and has historically had no cure.
Can you live to an old age with osteoarthritis? ›
The good news is that you can live — and live well — with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. You can get relief from its pain and its consequences.
In what stage of knee osteoarthritis is quality of life most affected? ›
End-stage knee OA negatively impact the patients' perceived function and quality of life. Patients' KOOS scores were similar to those reported in other countries, with QoL being the domain most affected.
Does osteoarthritis knee pain ever go away? ›
Osteoarthritis in the knee can't be cured but there are treatments that can relieve symptoms and slow your condition's progress.
What does end stage osteoarthritis feel like? ›
End stage arthritis often causes chronic pain and other symptoms, such as stiffness and loss of mobility. If your arthritis occurs in your lower body or spine, you may find it challenging to walk. Osteoarthritis often progresses slowly, but some people have rapid development in only a few years.
What is the best medicine for severe osteoarthritis? ›
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs reduce inflammation as well as ease pain. These are some of the most popular medications given for arthritis. NSAIDs include aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
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.
How do you live with severe osteoarthritis? ›
Living with Osteoarthritis
- Living healthily. A good diet and regular exercise will help keep muscles strong and control your weight, which is good for osteoarthritis and also has other health benefits. ...
- Taking your medicine. ...
- Regular reviews. ...
- Vaccinations. ...
- Talking to others. ...
- Work and money.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.
