Wearing the right shoes is important if you have osteoarthritis. Running shoes do not appear to help ease the pain or reduce the risk of osteoarthritis (OA). One study found that there was less pressure on knees and hips when running barefoot compared to running wearing running shoes. Wearing flat shoes reduces stress on your knees and is a better choice for women who have osteoarthritis. Walking around barefoot while at home will further reduce the amount of stress put on the knees.
Although it’s not a good idea to run while wearing flip-flops, walking in them is almost as good as going barefoot. Flip-flops that are lightweight with flat, flexible soles put less stress on the knees than shoes with rigid soles.
Wearing heels, even if they aren't very high, can promote joint damage and worsen osteoarthritis.
Foot orthoses, also called shoe inserts, can help correct knee adduction—movement of the knee while walking—and act as a shock absorber to take some of the stress off a knee that has been damaged by osteoarthritis (OA). There is also some evidence that orthoses may slow the progression of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the inside of the knee and the foot. But the research is inconsistent. Some studies find that they reduce pain and stiffness, and enable people with OA to cut down on pain medication. Other studies find they provide limited, if any, benefit.