Welcome to Arthritis Shoes for Men by Pedors - Your Guide To Making An Informed Decision
How To Choose The Right Mens Arthritis Shoes For You
If you have arthritis, finding arthritis shoes that fit you correctly can be part of the complex biomechanical chain that starts at your feet. For active women that could mean a shoe designed to be more supportive and robust than for someone who may be looking for a Mary Jane shoe for a more formal occasion. Regardless, the shoe must be easy to put on and comfortable to wear, otherwise they’ll end up in the naughty closet with all the other shoes that are no longer worn.
Sizing For Mens Shoes For Arthritis
It makes sense to take a tracing of the foot to get a measurement for the longest length from the longest toe to the back of the heel to the nearest 1/8th of an inch and the widest width again to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. If there is a significant deformity or a bunion the width is what is going to be the key measurement. Then visit our sizing chart and follow the instructions there to determine what we think is your size and width. Unless you experience swelling in your feet you do not need to take a girth measurement.
What are the specific design features and benefits of Pedors Mens Arthritis Shoes?
Shoes designed for people living with arthritis should have specific features that prioritize comfort, support, and pain relief. Here are the key design features for Women to look for in shoes for individuals with arthritis:
• Cushioning
Ample cushioning in the insole and midsole provides shock absorption, reducing the impact on joints and promoting comfort while walking. All Pedors shoes have an insole that is removable to make room for an insert or an orthotic if needed.
• Arch Support
Arch support helps maintain proper foot alignment, reducing stress on the feet and joints. Some individuals with arthritis may benefit from custom orthotic insoles. The arch support in Pedors shoes is intentionally minimal to minimize pressure on the arch. If support is needed, it’s best addressed by a moldable insert or custom orthotic.
• Wide and Roomy Toe Box
A wide toe box allows toes to move freely and reduces pressure on the front of the foot, accommodating deformities and reducing the risk of blisters or corns. All Pedors Shoes are Extra Depth to allow for hammeroes or overlapping toes with Wide Toe Boxes for errant toes doing their own thing.
• Soft and Non-Irritating Materials
Shoes made from soft, breathable, and non-irritating materials reduce friction and the risk of skin irritation or pressure sores. Pedors Shoes use Pedoprene in the vamp of most of the lines. Pedoprene is a seamless heat moldable which enables the shoe to accommodate most forefoot deformities (like that errant toe above) common with arthritis and reduces the risk of irritation from internal seams.
• Easy Fastening
Shoes with Velcro straps or slip-on designs are easier to put on and take off, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with limited hand dexterity. Pedors is a big fan of touch closures or “velcro” closures and most of our shoes are designed that way with either one or two straps dependent on how far the shoe needs to open up to get the foot comfortably on the footbed inside the shoe. The other reason of course is that touch closures eliminate the need for tying laces which can be a challenge for someone living with arthritis in their hands as well as their feet.
• Removable Insoles
Shoes with removable insoles allow for the use of custom orthotic insoles or cushioning pads when needed. All Pedors Shoes come with removable insoles.
• Firm Heel Counter
A firm heel counter provides stability and helps prevent the foot from rolling inward or outward, reducing the risk of falls. Dependent on how much support is needed and the trade off for comfort, each heel counter for each Pedors shoe is designed for purpose. Pedors walking shoes have a firmer counter than a Pedors house shoe. A Pedors Mary Jane works well for individuals with a narrow heel and a wide forefoot.
• Low Heel
A low or flat heel can reduce pressure on the knees and lower back, promoting better alignment and reducing joint strain. Pedors Shoes also have a “flared” heel for additional stability and a two piece sole construction that is easily modifiable to address specific weight bearing requirements, part of the complex biomechanical chain that starts at your feet and can reach up the whole leg to the pelvis and lower back.
• Lightweight Construction
Lightweight shoes reduce the effort required to lift and move the feet, making walking and daily activities more manageable. Pedors are known for being lightweight. As a general rule the more robust the shoe has to be for activity then the heavier the materials tend to be. So a walking shoe for example is heavier than a day shoe that is worn each day in a retirement community. The key consideration here is to ensure that the shoe is not too bulky on the foot. A good indicator for that is whether the shoe works well in Physical Therapy and if your Physical Therapist thinks your shoe is the right shoe for you to help them to get you doing what you need to do in PT.
• Slip-Resistant Outsoles
Outsoles with good traction help prevent slips and falls, which can be especially important for individuals with arthritis, as they may have reduced balance and stability. Really important obviously in climates where ice for example might be present during the winter months. However, there is a point at which an outsole can have too much tread especially if worn indoors or on carpet for example. So a determination needs to be evaluated as to where and how the shoe is to be worn. Ideally, you would want to have appropriate footwear for both indoors and outdoors.
• Supportive Ankle Collar
A supportive ankle collar can provide additional stability and help protect the ankle joint. All Pedors Shoes have padded ankle collars to maximize comfort and minimize rubbing.
• Diabetic-Friendly Features
Some individuals with arthritis may also have diabetes. In such cases, shoes designed for diabetics may provide appropriate features, including extra depth and cushioning. We’ll review more about this topic next.
Why might a diabetic insert be good for men with arthritis?
A diabetic insert is designed to function as an accomodative device primarily to mimimize pressure points on the bottom of the foot that often cause calluses. By molding to the bottom of the foot and by doing so evenly, the insert distributes the weight bearing across the whole foot and so minimizing the risk of skin breakdown and ulceration. Think of the bottom of the foot sinking into a foam bed so it’s cradled comfortably. Although skin breakdown is more dangerous for someone with Diabetes than it might be for someone with Arthritis, for the same preventative reasons, the insert can also help alleviate pressure points in the foot caused by arthritis and provide additional cushioning and comfort for arthritic foot deformities.
A biomechanical orthotic is designed to give more structural support to the foot and in some instances to redistribute weight bearing. For example, an orthotic is fitted to treat heel pain or plantar fasciitis by giving the arch additional support. Another example would be where an orthotic is fitted to treat ball- of- foot pain or metatarsalgia with a metatarsal pad to redistribute the weight bearing away from the metatarsal heads.
In some instances, an orthotic may work well for someone with arthritis in need of additional structural support for the foot. Dependent on the cause of pain in the arthritic foot, in most cases a custom orthotic for each foot is usually the way to go as often is the case that each foot is quite different. If the pain is related less to arthritis and more to other causes like plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia then an off-the shelf, prefabricated orthotic may work well and will cost considerably less.
Pedors 3P Diabetic Inserts for Men
Our 3P insert has a base layer of PU for support and structure. The 3P insert also has a middle layer of Poron which gives the insert some additional cushioning and a top layer of PE that molds to the bottom of the foot. The 3P insert is shaped specifically for our Classic line last.
Arthritis Shoes and Medicare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicade Services (CMS) does not provide coverage for shoes or inserts for Arthritis.
However the incidence of an individual having both diabetes and arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, is not uncommon, and the coexistence of these two conditions is known to occur. The prevalence and incidence of this comorbidity can vary based on factors such as age, sex, and other demographic and health-related characteristics.
The takeaway here is that if you have both arthritis and diabetes you may qualifiy for shoes and insert coverage as a diabetic, not because of your arthritis. But, should you meet the criteria for coverage as a Diabetic, the diabetic shoes and inserts may well help alleviate your arthritic feet as well. So, although arthritis may be the primary cause of pain in your feet, ironically, it may be the fact that you are Diabetic that helps you get into the footwear you need for pain relief.
More information can be found here on Medicare’s coverage for diabetic footwear.
www.letswalk.com is a directory of foot health care professionals who are qualified and familiar with the challenges of fitting patients with arthritis. Some providers are qualified to fit Diabetic shoes and inserts under Medicare’s Therapeutic Footwear for Persons with Diabetes program. Call for an appointment and ask if your local provider accepts your insurance should you meet the criteria for coverage if you are Diabetic.
Conclusion - Mens Arthritis Shoes
When choosing footwear for Arthritis, it’s all about about making sure that you get shoes, inserts or orthotics that fit properly and are comfortable. Living with arthritis presents so many challenges and managing your foot health should be a priority. If you can manage to keep your feet healthy and stay mobile you can greatly improve your activity level, overall health, independence, mental health and quality of life.
Questions?
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