According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, shoes for women with knee problems need to provide stability, maneuverability and comfort. Your shoes must fit properly and be in good condition. They must allow you to maintain your balance and leg alignment when performing daily activities such as walking. You can either get specially made shoes or alter store-bought shoes to fit your individual needs.
Orthopedic Walking Shoes
Orthopedic walking shoes are built for all-day comfort with the intention of providing knee- and leg-pain relief. They can be prescribed by a medical professional such as an orthopedic surgeon. These specialized walking shoes are specially built for your feet. They allow your toe area ample room to spread out. The soles are flexible, which allows for easy walking and foot maneuverability. A good-fitting walking shoe will allow your foot room to expand, but not be loose around the ankles; for women with knee problems, it should provide stability and be lightweight. This makes it easier to walk and develop a comfortable gait.
Physician-Prescribed Shoes
If your knee problem is due to mid-level to severe cases of overpronation (characterized by excessive inward turning of foot, uneven inner sole wearing, knee pain and leg misalignment), you may need motion-control shoes prescribed by a physician. These shoes provide an adequate medial arch-side support and a firm heel. Motion-control shoes have firm midsoles to protect your knees from lateral stress and reduce overpronation. They keep your leg aligned and prevent loss of balance.
If you experience mild levels of overpronation, stability shoes may be adequate for you. These shoes are lighter weight and more flexible than motion-control shoes, according to bigkneepain.com.
Standard Walking Shoes
Wear standard walking shoes. Buy a pair of walking shoes from any reliable shoe store and add the inserts needed for your individual situation. For instance, buying a heel insert may help with your knee problem as it stabilizes your knee by reinforcing the heel cup. Make certain the heel cup fits snugly to prevent twisted ankles and slippage. Heel inserts are especially helpful for cases of overpronation.
Cushioning is a shock absorber for your legs. This prevents, or lessens, any knee pain you may be having. Add an entire sole insert, if needed, to provide extra cushioning and ease your knee's impact upon hard surfaces while you are walking. According to bigkneepain.com, severe cases of overpronation may be hindered by extra cushioning.
Extra Shoe Knowledge
Wear flat soles. Flat-soled shoes are essential elements for women with knee problems. They provide stability and safety to your knee and its alignment. Flat soles allow your entire foot to touch the floor, in comparison to heels which allow only your heel and toe section to make contact with the surface. If you do wear heels, it is recommended they not be higher than one-half to three-quarters of an inch.
Include extra arch support. Shoes with added arch support can help women with knee problems. The additional arch provides extra alignment for your leg and helps ease knee pain. The arch support helps you keep your knee in a properly aligned position. Sometimes shoes can be built with additional arch support. Other times, you can buy an arch support that can be put inside your shoe.
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