Parkinson’s disease presents unique challenges with mobility and balance. Selecting appropriate footwear can significantly enhance safety, improve movement, and increase comfort, helping individuals maintain independence.
Essential Shoe Characteristics
For individuals with Parkinson’s, certain shoe characteristics are crucial for stability and comfort. A wide sole, extending slightly beyond the foot’s edges, improves stability during walking. Non-slip soles, featuring materials like rubber with defined tread patterns (circles, hexagons, or squares), enhance traction and reduce slip and fall risks.
Heels should be low and wide, as higher heels can shift body weight forward, affecting balance and increasing forefoot pressure. Lightweight shoes are preferred, requiring less effort to lift and reducing fatigue. Ample width and depth, especially in the toe box, provide space for toes to move freely and accommodate swelling or orthotic inserts, preventing discomfort. Easy-to-fasten closures like Velcro straps, elastic laces, or hands-free designs offer convenience and promote independence, allowing for a secure fit without requiring fine motor dexterity.
Addressing Parkinson’s Symptoms Through Footwear
Footwear features can directly address common Parkinson’s symptoms. Smooth but non-slip soles assist with gait freezing, a temporary inability to move. Some adaptive shoes use variable friction technology, allowing the foot to glide more smoothly to prevent stumbling. Lightweight shoes lessen the physical demand of lifting feet, mitigating fatigue from bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
Closures like Velcro or hands-free options benefit individuals with tremors or reduced dexterity. These simplify putting on and taking off shoes, reducing frustration and fall risk. Shoes with strong support, including a firm heel cup and good arch support, enhance balance and maintain proper foot and ankle alignment. This stability counteracts postural instability and reduces fall likelihood. Textured insoles can also improve plantar sensation, enhancing balance and gait.
Footwear Styles to Consider
Certain shoe styles are beneficial for individuals with Parkinson’s, while others should be avoided. Athletic shoes or trainers are recommended for their stability, cushioning, and wider bases. Comfort shoes and specialized adaptive footwear are also suitable, designed with easy closures and supportive soles. Brands like Kizik and Nike Flyease offer helpful hands-free or easy-entry designs.
Conversely, some footwear styles pose risks. High heels compromise balance and place excessive pressure on feet and joints. Loose-fitting shoes like flip-flops, backless slippers, or worn-out shoes offer insufficient support and increase tripping or falling risk. Leather-soled shoes lack traction and increase slip risk, so they should be avoided. Overly stiff or rigid shoes may interfere with natural foot bend during walking, worsening gait difficulties.
Importance of Correct Fit
Beyond features, a shoe’s fit is paramount for supporting individuals with Parkinson’s. A proper fit ensures safety and comfort. Measure feet regularly, as size and shape can change from swelling. Try on shoes later in the day, when feet are largest from swelling, to ensure a comfortable fit.
Allow approximately 1 centimeter of space between the longest toe and the shoe’s end, with enough depth and width for toes to move freely. If orthotics or ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are used, shoes must accommodate them without tightness or pressure. Shoes should feel comfortable immediately; “breaking in” may indicate an unsuitable fit. Check for pressure or rubbing to prevent blisters.
Consulting Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals offer personalized footwear recommendations. Podiatrists assess foot problems, deformities, or pain, advising on shoe types and prescribing custom orthotics. Physical therapists analyze gait, evaluating walking patterns and balance issues, and suggest footwear that supports improved mobility and stability.
Occupational therapists focus on adaptive solutions for daily activities, including dressing and footwear selection. They recommend shoes with features that simplify putting them on and taking them off, especially for those with dexterity challenges. Collaborating with these professionals ensures footwear choices align with an individual’s symptoms, mobility levels, and health goals, enhancing safety and independence.