Incorrect trainers increase arthritis risk

10th June 2011 - The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists says arthritis is on the rise and more than half of cases are in the feet. As part of its annual Feet for Life Month the Society is concentrating on arthritis and how inadequate footwear can increase your risk.  

More than nine million people in the UK have arthritis, the commonest types being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type by far and is caused by wear of the cartilage in the joints. It can result from injury or from general wear and tear and often occurs in the feet as the many small joints bear the brunt of the stresses and strains that the body experiences.

The wrong shoes

Many people believe trainers are a good choice of footwear but new research from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists has revealed that a significant proportion of both men and women are putting themselves at risk by wearing inadequate sports shoes which do not provide the right mechanical assistance for the foot.  Over three-quarters (77%) of the 2,000 men and women questioned confessed to not wearing sports shoes designed for their specific sport, increasing the risk of stresses and strains and ultimately of developing injury and arthritis.

Professor Anthony Redmond, a podiatrist and arthritis researcher from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said in a media release: "When doing exercise, wearing trainers that are fitted and designed specifically for that form of exercise will both improve performance and protect from injury. Those who wear trainers that are not designed for sporting activity are placing themselves at real risk. With forces through the joints exceeding eight times the body weight during some sports, the importance of matching the right footwear to the activity cannot be overstated."

It's not just trainers that can be a problem, a quarter of the women questioned for the Society admitted to wearing high heeled shoes on a daily or frequent basis. High heels alter the body’s posture and increase pressure on the foot, ankle and knee joints. If worn frequently, they can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. So, too, can flat, ballet style shoes. They offer the feet little cushioning, leaving the lower leg and foot to absorb the full impact of movement.

The right shoes

Professor Redmond says:"Choosing the right footwear will help minimise the stress placed on the feet and joints during everyday activity and helps reduce the risk of injury and joint damage. For daily wear, the recommendation is to opt for a round toed shoe with a heel height of no more than 2-3cm and with a shock absorbent sole to help minimise shock to the joints."

However, Neil Betteridge, of Arthritis Care told us that finding the right footwear can be a struggle: "The degree of choice for people is so small. You either have to..... pay through the nose and/or end up with a pair of shoes that really isn't very attractive and not what you want to wear in your day to day life."

He believes there is a gap in the market for a manufacturer to develop shoes that provide the right comfort and support and are attractive and affordable for the potentially millions of people living with some kind of foot problem.

Kate Llewelyn isn't yet 40 and has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was in her teens. It mainly affects her feet and she is unable to walk far without intense pain. She told us she agrees that shoe designers are missing a trick: "Shoes are a big issue. What you wear on your feet dictates what you wear on your body, clothes wise. It means I can't wear the kind of clothes I want to because the shoes end up looking really stupid, so it kind of effects how you feel about your whole body image."

In a statement, Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK says: "We are currently funding research which looks at the impact high heels have on the feet and are  exploring footwear designs for people with arthritis, taking into account both fashion and comfort.

"We know there is a link between high-heeled shoes and foot disorders in some people, and wearing high heels can also cause back pain - and may even be implicated in the increasing number of women developing osteoarthritis in the knee."