We have loads of fairy tales about shoes that work magic in people's lives: the glass slipper that gave Cinderella love, and the intense red heels that gave Dorothy strength in MGM's version. The Wizard of Oz.
In real life, shoe magic is restricted to “take off” shoes that may also help relieve knee pain from osteoarthritis. These loading shoes have stiff soles, and barely curved insoles that reposition the foot, with the goal of reducing (or taking) pressure off the knee. But A study Published online July 12, 2016. History of Internal Medicine suggests that nothing higher than an excellent pair of trainers will make the pain of taking off your shoes disappear.
About the study
Researchers randomly assigned 164 individuals with knee arthritis (age 50 or older) to wear recent removable shoes or recent traditional walking shoes each day for six months. By the top of the study, it appeared that each sorts of shoes were equally effective at reducing pain and improving physical function, with a mean reduction in pain of 25 percent, and an improvement in function of about 22 percent. This didn't prove that the 2 shoes were equally effective, but an editorial accompanying the study says the findings highlight the “promise of simple biomechanical interventions” for treating knee pain.
Both shoes utilized in the study cost $180. But custom take-off shoes, and even custom-made insoles that could be inserted into the shoe, can cost several lots of of dollars.
What to search for in walking shoes
If you're going to try a walking shoe to ease your knee pain, search for some features, akin to:
- A “stability-type” shoe with a stiff sole and supportive insole.
- A rather curved “rocker” sole that helps distribute more body weight evenly as you walk. If you've balance issues, this sole might not be best for you.
And do not forget that fit is vital too. Search for:
- A large, wide toe area (called a toe box by shoe salespeople)
- At least half an inch longer than your longest toe
- A robust area around your heel (called the heel counter), so your foot stays in place and doesn't slide around, which may cause friction and pain.
Other options
His top recommendations include:
- Physical Therapy: Dr. Safron-Norton recommends that an individual with knee arthritis undergo at the very least three months of physical therapy as the primary line of treatment. The program should include a series of exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles that support the knee.
- Weight loss: Losing kilos reduces the stress in your knee. This could be very essential, since the force you place in your joints could be as much as six times your body weight.
- Injection: Corticosteroid injections can temporarily reduce pain and swelling, making participation in physical therapy less painful.
- Acupuncture: Studies on whether acupuncture relieves knee pain are mixed, but Safran-Norton says the treatment is useful for some people. “If the problem is pain, it might work. If the problem is biomechanical or weak muscles, it probably won't.”
- Supplements: Research has provided mixed results on chondroitin and glucosamine supplements for pain relief, but Safran-Norton says a few of her patients find the pills make a difference. Chondroitin sulfate helps protect cartilage from damage. Glucosamine stimulates cartilage formation and repair.
Don't expect this stuff to do magic overnight. “You'll notice a difference after going to physical therapy once or twice a week for two to four weeks,” says Safran-Norton. She recommends that the remaining of the methods be used along side physical therapy, not instead of it.
With just a little trial and error, you've an excellent likelihood of eliminating knee pain without surgery — and you will have a fairytale ending. If knee pain persists, chances are you'll have to talk over with an orthopedic specialist about surgery. But put it aside for last resort.