What type of slippers are recommended for men and women with osteoarthritis (OA) to reduce joint stress and improve mobility?

Comfortable Slippers for Osteoarthritis

For men and women with hip or knee osteoarthritis, choose stable, supportive slippers with cushioning that provide ample toe space when weight-bearing—avoid flat, flexible slippers or those with wedged insoles. 1

Primary Footwear Recommendations

The EULAR guidelines explicitly recommend the use of appropriate and comfortable shoes for people with hip and knee OA, with high levels of agreement (8.7-9.1 out of 10). 1 While the 2020 American College of Rheumatology guidelines conditionally recommend against modified shoes due to insufficient evidence defining optimal footwear, they acknowledge that "optimal footwear is likely to be of considerable importance for those with knee and/or hip OA." 1

Specific Slipper Characteristics to Seek

Stable and supportive construction is the most evidence-based feature:

• A 2021 randomized trial of 164 patients demonstrated that stable supportive shoes reduced walking pain by 1.1 points more than flat flexible shoes at 6 months (p=0.001), with fewer adverse events (15% vs 32%). 2
• Stable supportive shoes also improved knee-related quality of life and ipsilateral hip pain compared to flat flexible alternatives. 2

Cushioning and shock absorption provide additional benefit:

• A 2023 double-blinded study found that cushioned sport shoes reduced pain (measured by WOMAC) and increased functionality in knee OA patients after 3 months of use. 3
• One study combining lateral-wedge insoles with shock-absorbing shoes showed significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and function at 4 weeks. 4

Adequate toe space when weight-bearing is essential:

• The 2024 EULAR update emphasizes that shoes should be "big enough to give ample space for the toes when weight-bearing" from a clinical perspective. 1

What to Avoid

Flat, flexible slippers are not recommended:

• Despite theoretical benefits, flat flexible shoes were not superior to stable supportive shoes for any outcome measure and actually performed worse for pain relief. 2

Wedged insoles should be avoided:

• Both EULAR and ACR guidelines conditionally recommend against lateral or medial wedged insoles, as most evidence does not support their use for pain or function improvement. 1
• The 2024 EULAR update found that most studies showed no between-group differences comparing wedged insoles to neutral insoles. 1

Practical Implementation

Survey data reveals a gap in care:

• Only 34% of people with knee OA report receiving footwear advice from healthcare professionals, most commonly from podiatrists. 5
• When advice is given, it most frequently recommends sturdy/supportive shoes (47%) or shoes with arch supports (41%). 5

Key features for slipper selection:

• Firm heel counter for stability
• Cushioned midsole for shock absorption
• Adequate depth and width to accommodate the foot without compression
• Secure fastening (avoid slip-on styles that require toe gripping)
• Low heel height (avoid completely flat or elevated heels)

Common Pitfalls

Wearing slippers is not a substitute for comprehensive OA management:

• Appropriate footwear must be combined with exercise therapy (particularly quadriceps strengthening), weight management if overweight, and patient education. 1
• The 2024 EULAR guidelines emphasize that behavior change techniques should be employed when lifestyle modifications are needed. 1

Don't assume expensive or specialized footwear is necessary:

• The evidence supports readily available stable, supportive shoes with cushioning rather than expensive custom modifications. 2
• Athletic shoes meeting these criteria are frequently worn by people with knee OA (64% in one survey) and align with evidence-based recommendations. 5