Back
Arthritis Pain Relief and Shoe Inserts
Learn how orthotic inserts can help reduce foot pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
When your feet hurt, it’s hard to think about anything else, and everyday activities that involve standing or walking for more than a few minutes can becomeoverwhelming. Making good shoe choices can prevent problems, but for many of those who arealready suffering, orthotics – shoe inserts designed to ease foot pain and correct structural issues – may provide much-needed relief.
How Shoe Inserts ReduceFoot Pain
Foot pain is common. One in four adults haveaproblem with their feet. And among people with certain types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, hip, ankle or foot, it’s even more prevalent.
Foot discomfort and structural problems such as the hammertoes and bunions caused by the inflammation of RA and lupus also can spread beyond the feet, leading to shin pain, knee pain and lower back pain.
Orthotics redistribute weight and relieve pressure on sensitive areas of the feet, provide cushioning that reduces stress, or biomechanical load, on the lower body, and correct gait and structural abnormalities, says Marian Hannan, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-director of Musculoskeletal Research at the Harvard-affiliated Institute for Aging in Boston.
“The best evidence of benefits with orthotics is for reducing foot pain in people with RA and lower extremity OA, Hannan says, noting, “The right insert may also help slow damage caused by knee OA.”
Research on orthotics and theprogressionof knee OA are mixed. Although most studies find that people who wear orthotics have less foot pain and need fewer pain-relieving medications, some also suggest custom-made inserts can lead to long-term changes in biomechanics that may slow or prevent the progression of arthritis, says Hannan.
“It’s not entirely clear how orthotics work to cause these positive changes, but data suggests the inserts affect the foot’s very fine, or micro-, control of gait, subtly altering muscle activity and reducing stress on the lower extremity,” she says.
Custom Orthotics for Arthritisand RelatedConditions
A Cochrane Review,which provideda systematic analysis ofseveralrandomized-control trials, found gold- and silver-level evidence that custom-made orthotics reduce foot pain in people with:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Bunions
Painful high arches
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Plantar fasciitis, or heel pain
More research needs to be done todiscoverspecific benefits, including how long different people need to wear orthotics before feeling improvements, Hannan says. She notes that, anecdotally, “We can tell by the prevalence of people who continue to wear orthotics months and years after filling their prescription that they feel that the inserts are helping.”
Your doctor can determine whether orthotics could be a good option for you and refer you to a podiatrist who will examine your feet, ankles and hips and evaluate your gait by observing your body in motion.
Custom inserts, which last about five years, can cost between $400 and $800 a pair, and not all insurance plans cover them. As a less-expensive option, some podiatrists may customize off-the-shelf inserts to address your specific issues.
Managing Pain
Managing Pain
Expert Q&A: Orthotics for Foot and Hand Pain
Learn how orthotic devices can help minimize pain in the joints of the feet and hands.
Managing Pain
Musculoskeletal Pain and Arthritis
Learn more about the connection between musculoskeletal pain and arthritis and where you may experience this type of pain in your body.
Quiz to Help Manage Pain
This eye-opening quiz may be just what you need to help you take control of arthritis pain.
Give & Get Your Best
Your gift does amazing things for the arthritis community. Help yourself and help others.
Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes.
Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others.