Women's Comfortable Shoes for Arthritis Relief: Best Options for Pain and Swollen Feet

By Nitesh Agrawal, Diabetic Shoe

Finding the right pair of shoes can be a game-changer for women suffering from arthritis and related foot conditions. Arthritis often leads to pain, swelling, and discomfort, making it essential to wear comfortable footwear that provides the necessary support and relief

It's important to note that expert consensus often guides the recommendations for footwear features in this patient population.

Consensus on Retail Footwear Features for Women with RA

Footwear management aims to preserve foot function, reduce the burden of foot pain and maintain joint mobility in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whilst retail footwear is commonly recommended by health professionals, there is no current consensus on recommended features of retail footwear for women with RA. This study aimed to determine consensus from health professionals about the important features of retail footwear for women with RA.

Important features of retail shoes for women with rheumatoid arthritis: A Delphi consensus survey, PE Tehan, 2019

Studies have also shown that women with RA prioritize comfort, cost, and usability over aesthetics when selecting retail footwear.

Key Footwear Features for Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Women with RA sought retail footwear which had adequate cushioning, width, a flexible sole, lightweight, were made from breathable materials and were easy to put on and take off. However, this choice was driven by the need for comfort, cost and usability, with aesthetics being less of a priority. Despite having opinions on what criteria they felt that they needed, these women did not feel empowered to make good choices about purchasing retail footwear for symptomatic relief.“Come and live with my feet and you'll understand”–a qualitative study exploring the experiences of retail footwear in women with rheumatoid arthritis, PE Tehan, 2019

Furthermore, research suggests that flexible, non-heeled shoes can be beneficial for those with knee osteoarthritis, highlighting the importance of shoe design for joint health.

Study on Flexible, Non-Heeled Shoes for Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

Fifty-six elderly women with knee OA grade 2 or 3 (Kellgren and Lawrence) are randomized into blocks and allocated to either the intervention group, which will use flexible, non-heeled shoes— Moleca®—for six months for at least six hours daily, or the control group, which could not use these shoes. Neither group is undergoing physical therapy treatment throughout the intervention period. Moleca® is a women’s double canvas, flexible, flat walking shoe without heels, with a 5-mm anti-slip rubber sole and a 3-mm internal wedge of ethylene vinyl acetate.Effectiveness of a long-term use of a minimalist footwear versus habitual shoe on pain, function and mechanical loads in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled …, 2012