Best Shoes For Arthritis Foot Pain
Updated on May 03, 2024
Shop the best shoes for arthritis
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term that refers to dozens of different disorders and diseases, but the common theme is issues with your joints. The most common symptoms of arthritis are swelling, stiffness and pain in your joints. These issues can occur in young people, but generally they tend to get worse with age.
There are two main types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear on the cartilage that cushions the ends of your joints. That cartilage is there to prevent friction, and when it wears away or is damaged your bones can rub together in painful ways. This damage can occur gradually over time, or more rapidly as the result of an injury.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Another common source of arthritis involves issues with your immune system. This occurs when your immune system attacks the linings in your joint capsules, causing pain and inflammation—and sometimes damage to the cartilage.
While many arthritis patients fall into one of these two broad categories, there are dozens and dozens of other less common forms. A doctor is the best person to diagnose you if you believe you have arthritis, and various medications and treatments can help manage the pain and inflammation. No matter the source, wearing supportive shoes for arthritic feet can help protect your body from shocks and impacts that further stress out your joints.
In addition, incorporating yoga into your daily routine can be an effective way to reduce pain and stiffness. In the video below, you'll learn how to perform the Vajrasana yoga pose, which can be helpful for relieving arthritis foot pain.
Most Common Causes & Risk Factors for Developing Arthritis
The causes and risk factors discussed below can contribute to the development of arthritis in the feet, but it's important to note that there are many factors involved and the exact cause can be difficult to pinpoint. It's important to take steps to protect your feet and joints, such as maintaining a healthy weight, wearing appropriate footwear, and seeking medical attention if you experience foot pain or discomfort.
Symptoms & Types of Arthritis
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and many of them have different causes. The mechanisms may differ, but the symptoms are largely the same across the different kinds of arthritis. These include swelling, tenderness, pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility—specifically in your joints. The location, frequency and duration of these symptoms may help you pinpoint which kind of arthritis you have. Even within the same type of arthritis, different patients may experience these symptoms in different joints.
Let’s go over some of the more common types of arthritis:
Facts and Stats
Read on for some facts and stats about arthritis.
- There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages.
- Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States.
- Almost 60 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis
Treatment
Learn ways to manage and prevent foot pain from arthritis.
Most of the treatment plans for arthritis focus on two things: relieving pain and improving joint function. While you may not be able to cure arthritis, you can manage it for a better quality of life. Here are some of the options:
FAQs
-
What shoes are the best shoes for arthritis?
Arthritis can affect many different joints, so the best shoes for arthritic feet for your needs may vary. Look for shoes that offer plenty of room around the affected area, so wide toe boxes for gout sufferers are a must! Forgiving materials with some stretch may also help spare sensitive spots.
More generally speaking, arthritis of all kinds involves pain and swelling in your joints. This can make walking or standing even more painful. Flimsy flip flops or shoes with a high heel put increased strain on joints that are already struggling. Look for shoes that cushion your body and support a natural gait. The best shoes for arthritis feet cushion and cup your heel as you walk, while offering support along your arch and plenty of room for sensitive toes.
-
Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don't need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
-
Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURU shoes with good arch support helped reduce or eliminate their pain—from plantar fasciitis to bunions.
Each of our shoes feature a wide toe box, superior arch support, shock absorption and patented heel technology, engineered for pain relief.
-
I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology.
Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period. To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
Trending Articles
-
Foot Grooming and Why It’s Important -
Foot Exercise for a Stronger Foundation
-
Stress Fractures: What Causes Them, How Can I Treat Them?
Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
- 1
KURUSOLE
...Show LessYour body comes with a natural pillow of cushion beneath your heel. But this fat pad can wear down over time, leading to increased pain and discomfort. Our patented KURUSOLE technology works with your body to maximize this natural cushioning. The key is the way our technology dynamically flexes with each step to cushion and cup your heel, containing your fat pad while protecting it from stress.
Your body comes with a natural pillow of cushion beneath your heel. But this fat pad can wear down over time, leading to increased pain and discomfort. Our patented KURUSOLE technology works with your body to maximize this natural cushioning. The key is the way our technology dynamically flexes with each step to cushion and cup your heel, containing your fat pad while protecting it from stress.
- 2
KURUCLOUD
...Show LessArthritis is defined by pain and inflammation in your joints, so cushion and shock absorption may be just what you need to make it through your to-do list. Enter KURUCLOUD. This lightweight blend of foams blends soft cushion and firm support to protect your body from impact, so you’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds.
Arthritis is defined by pain and inflammation in your joints, so cushion and shock absorption may be just what you need to make it through your to-do list. Enter KURUCLOUD. This lightweight blend of foams blends soft cushion and firm support to protect your body from impact, so you’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds.
- 3
ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessIf you have foot arthritis, you’ve probably tried your share of aftermarket inserts. But what if you could get strategic support and complete cushioning right out of the box? We build our ULTIMATE INSOLES into every pair of KURUs, so you can simply step into your favorite pair of shoes knowing you’re supported from heel to toe and everywhere in between. The dual density foam offers support where you need it and cushion where you want it.
If you have foot arthritis, you’ve probably tried your share of aftermarket inserts. But what if you could get strategic support and complete cushioning right out of the box? We build our ULTIMATE INSOLES into every pair of KURUs, so you can simply step into your favorite pair of shoes knowing you’re supported from heel to toe and everywhere in between. The dual density foam offers support where you need it and cushion where you want it.
KURUSOLE
Your body comes with a natural pillow of cushion beneath your heel. But this fat pad can wear down over time, leading to increased pain and discomfort. Our patented KURUSOLE technology works with your body to maximize this natural cushioning. The key is the way our technology dynamically flexes with each step to cushion and cup your heel, containing your fat pad while protecting it from stress.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Stay informed on the latest in foot health and wellness. Gain access to advanced foot care knowledge and receive tips for healthy feet from our team of experts.
