Arthritis? Wear light, flat shoes!

Flatter shoes with more flexible soles are easier on the knees than clogs or walking shoes, and may offer relief to people with osteoarthritis, says a new study. Loading on the knee joints is a key factor in the development of osteoarthritis. "Traditionally, footwear has been engineered to provide maximum support and comfort for the foot, with little attention paid to the biomechanical effects on the rest of the leg," said Dr. Najia Shakoor, a rheumatologist at Rush and the primary author of the study. "But the shoes we wear have a substantial impact on the load on the knee joints, particularly when we walk." "Our study demonstrated that flat, flexible footwear significantly reduces the load on the knee joints compared with supportive, stable shoes with less flexible soles." Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a significant source of disability and impaired quality of life. A higher-than-normal load on the knees during walking is a hallmark of the disease, associated with both the severity of osteoarthritis and its progression.

For Further: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Arthritis-Wear-light-flat-shoes/articleshow/5722430.cms