While gout can affect various joints around the body, for most people, the feet bear the brunt of the impact. During flare-ups, it can be hard to move around as normal - especially if your shoes exacerbate the pain. So, what footwear is the best option for minimising gout pain in your feet and ankles? Let’s find out!
Gout and Your Feet
Gout is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints - mainly in the feet and mostly in the big toes. It is a type of arthritis that is linked to high uric acid levels in the blood. In gout, excess serum uric acid leads to the formation of tiny, sharp crystals in the joints which can cause severe pain, inflammation, and swelling. High uric acid levels associated with gout can be linked to diet, genetics, and health problems that make it more difficult to flush uric acid out of the body.
It is not fully understood why gout is most common in the feet. Some research indicates that this may be due to the difference in body temperature: your feet tend to be colder than other parts of your body as they are the furthest away from the heart. This may make it easier for uric acid crystals to form here. This proclivity may also be linked with minor physical trauma, to which the feet and toes are particularly vulnerable.
Whatever the reason, anyone who has experienced gout in their feet will recognise how debilitating the symptoms can be. For many, it may become difficult or close to impossible to move around as normal during a gout attack. So, could wearing the right footwear make it any easier?
Is there such a thing as “gout-friendly” footwear?
Any pressure on the affected area during a gout attack can exacerbate symptoms, particularly pain. Unfortunately, this means that many people with gout struggle to wear shoes, and even socks, during a flare-up. But our busy lives are rarely accommodating for wearing no shoes, particularly if we have to leave home for work or social situations. So, let’s take a look at some features that are important to consider when searching for a “gout-friendly” shoe.
First of all, gout-friendly shoes should offer support without excessive pressure, and allow for a range of motion while also being cushioning to the feet. As such, it is important to avoid tight-fitting shoes - particularly shoes that are closed around the whole foot. This can make it difficult to move the joints in your toes and contribute to a reduced range of motion.
For most people, their everyday trainers, shoes, or boots are simply a no-go during or immediately following a gout attack. But what are the alternatives?
Wide-Fit and Open-Toe Shoes
Many gout sufferers address their shoe problem by purchasing a special pair of footwear that they can turn to when a gout attack strikes. Indeed, some shoe manufacturers even design footwear specifically with gout in mind, offering wider fits and extra cushioned soles to improve comfort during wear.
But even if you don’t opt for a specially designed “gout shoe”, there are a number of good options available. Open-toe sandals - particularly ones made from extra cushiony materials - are extremely popular among people with gout. They can be worn with or without socks depending on the weather and the severity of the gout attack. Regular wide-fit shoes can also help to relieve pressure from footwear, with the bonus of being widely available at a number of retailers!
Conclusions
Managing gout can be about more than amending your diet or taking regular supplements. Where these precautionary measures fail, all that’s left to do is make yourself as comfortable as possible until the symptoms pass. Gout flare-ups can make the thought of wearing shoes almost unbearable, but with some trial-and-error process, it is possible to find gout-friendly footwear that can help you stay active when you need to, even during an attack.
