How to Choose Shoes for Rheumatic Feet

Rheumatism is the common term used for arthritis. Arthritis affects many of us and it can affect any joint in the body. The feet are commonly affected by many types of arthritis. Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis along with gout and rarer types of arthritis are all associated with pain and deformity in the feet. Wearing the wrong type of shoe will only add to any pain and difficulties associated with arthritis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Shop for shoes at a time when your foot pain is minimal. This would ideally be at the end of the day when your feet will be at their largest, but if you find your feet are least painful in the earlier part of the day then that is the best time for you. It can take a fair amount of time on your feet to find the right type of shoe, so you do not want to be doing this at a time of the day when you are in the most discomfort.

2. Visit your podiatrist to have any calluses, corns or problem areas dealt with before you shoe shop. This will ensure that your feet are not irritated by every pair of shoes that you try on.

3. Choose a shoe with an adjustable strap or lace. This will provide support for your foot and also allow your orthotics to function better. Slip on shoes will only make your feet more unstable and cause other foot problems and make you more prone to falling.

4. Find shoes with a Velcro strap. If you also have arthritis in your hands or spine you may have difficulty tying laces.

5. Twist and bend the shoe to see how firm or flexible it is. If your hands are affected by arthritis you may be unable to do this. So have a friend or family member go with you when shopping for new shoes or explain to the sales assistant what you are looking for specifically. In most types of arthritis you will need a firm shoe that bends at the area that corresponds to the ball of the foot. Check with the podiatrist if you are uncertain which features you should be looking for.

6. Have your shoes adjusted to further improve the comfort of the shoe and the function. Your podiatrist can arrange this for you or may refer you to a specialist shoe store, orthotics or prosthetics.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that laces and straps are there for a reason and if you slip your shoes on and off without untying the laces or undoing the strap then there is no point having them on the shoe.
• Be sure to take your orthotics with you when trying on new shoes.
• Even if you find a great shoe for your feet an adjustment to the shoe can make a huge difference. With many types of arthritis a simple addition or adjustment to a shoe is necessary to make the shoe more suitable. This could be a rocker sole to relieve pain in the big toe joint or ball of the foot or a wedge/flare to the inside edge of the sole of the shoe to prevent your foot from rolling inward.

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