BLOG
The Best Shoes for Oedema & Lymphoedema in 2023
 |
What are the best shoes, trainers and sandals for oedema and lymphedema?
We take a look at what are the symptoms of oedema and lymphedema and how the right footwear is so important.
You might never have heard of Oedema & Lymphoedema, but they are two very common conditions in the UK that can severely impact the lives of sufferers.
They are both, in simple terms, conditions caused by fluid getting stuck in the body. Both result in swelling, particularly of limbs, often causing pain for the sufferer and other effects such as loss of freedom of movement in the afflicted limb.
Such pain can often make it difficult to keep active or engage in other important activities, even working, and can become part of a vicious cycle.
We take a quick look at these conditions and suggest some ways to not let them win...
Take me straight to the best shoes for oedema and lymphoedema >
Oedema
Oedema is the general medical term for fluid retention in the body. This is usually short-term and can be self-treated. Indeed, the NHS recommends that if you experience oedema for more than a few days that you should call your GP.
Oedema can be a symptom of a wider problem, rather than a condition in itself and can be caused by a variety of day-to-day things - like standing or sitting in the same position for too long - or it can be a symptom of more serious lifestyle problem, like being overweight, eating too much salty food or can be brought on by certain medicines such as some contraceptives, anti-depressants or steroids. [1]
Oedema is also commonplace amongst pregnant women, who often report swollen ankles, feet and fingers during their pregnancy.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is a condition that is typically caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system, which, in turn causes swelling usually in all or part of a limb, and most commonly in legs and arms.
There are 2 main types of Lymphoedema - primary & secondary - with secondary lymphoedema being much more common. Whilst the effects are broadly similar, the difference lies in the cause:
It is caused by damage to the lymphatic system or problems with the movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system and can often be the result of a cancer treatment, an infection, injury, inflammation of the limb, or a lack of limb movement.
What can be done to treat lymphedema?
Of course, swollen legs, feet and ankles will have an impact on life, especially when the swelling causes a lot of pain, so what can be done?
Well, firstly, if you have or suspect you have either of these conditions then you should consult your GP for advice.
They may suggest some self-treatment, such as gentle exercise to keep the limbs moving and circulation flowing, and try to release some fluid from the area, gentle massage and the raising of your feet to allow gravity to help drain fluid away; or a formal programme of treatment such as CDT may be suggested.
Further advice can be sought from the wonderful Lymphoedema Support Network.
For longer term sufferers of swollen legs, ankles and feet though, fear not, we receive many messages from oedema and lymphoedema suffers that our shoes have been able to provide a new lease of life!
How can the right shoes help oedema and lymphedema?
There are a few ways in which our wide and extra-wide fitting shoes can help sufferers of swollen feet, and these guidelines may help you too.
Wide and deep enough: Firstly, your footwear must be wide and deep enough to accommodate swollen feet or feet that swell. Our shoes are wider and deeper than high street shoes, in three variable width fittings accommodating feet from E-8E (that's EEEEEEEE!) width.
Pain-free footwear: As moderate exercise is important in keeping fluid moving round the body, it is important to have footwear that allows for you to remain mobile without causing too much pain. Therefore, choosing a shoe that fits well and is the right size and shape for your foot is important.
Full coverage and even compression: It is better to wear a shoe which gently covers the foot, offering an even compression over the top of the foot, therefore preventing swelling down into the foot.
You may not believe that you can even find footwear you're comfortable in any longer, let alone anything stylish! But that's not the case.
Here are some of the features specifically designed for wide and swollen feet that may help!
Extra Wide & Deep Footwear
Simply put, our footwear offers more room for swollen feet and ankles. In particular, our variable width 6V fittings offer the widest and deepest options available from "regular" retailers on the market.
This can provide your feet with much needed space without compressing the foot and causing further swelling around the shoe entry point. Low cut court shoes, for instance, are not recommended for oedema sufferers, as swelling will occur at the top of the foot above the shoe opening. However, court shoes with elasticated toplines could provide the option for a dressed-up look without the associated issues.
We have styles in our widest fittings across all categories, casual and smart alike. For instance, you'll find trainers like Pheasant, Sinead or Riley (pictured), canvas styles like Hudson and Mira, sandals, house shoes, the widest and deepest walking shoes on the market Wyoming and even dress shoes, like Constance (pictured).
Many of our shoes, trainers and sandals are designed with easy access in mind, using extra-wide or front openings and/or inside zips to increase the opening size of the shoe. These features enable you to slip your foot in without squashing, squeezing and rubbing and then close comfortably around your foot.
If you have extra wide feet, then there are a few styles that we have designed specifically for you, including features like extended cut-to-fit straps and extra-wide opening for easy access. Style include new styles Serena, Bullfinch, and Pacific, alongside men’s Darren and more.
WWhat are the best trainers for oedema and lymphedema?
As outlined, the best trainers for oedema and lymphedema will have enough room for your feet with the right support and stability you need. All of our trainers come with built in back stiffeners for support and many come with air-bubble soles for cushioning as you walk and flared soles that are wider at the bottom to ensure your as stable as can be whilst keeping active.
What's more, our trainers are just SO comfy!
Garforth is a classically styled trainer with a seam-free stretch toe-box and Gibson lace-up fastening whilst Pheasant has breathable stretch mesh panels that allow air to flow around your foot to keep them cool on warm days. They also open up wide and are easily adjustable with twin touch fastening straps.
Lexi is another stretch trainer that is ideal for feet that swell. It's also diabetes and bunion-friendly!
Wide-fitting Stretch Shoes
Our Stretch range has been cleverly designed to provide a range of shoes that hug your feet! The elasticated fabrics or straps mould gently to the shape of your foot and grow as your feet swell, creating more space, reducing compression and also rubbing. Many of our stretch range are also seam free, further reducing the elements that can cause rubbing and pain in swollen feet.
Styles like Garforth and Firecrest offer full front stretch panels in a classically styled trainer or everyday shoes, so they look just like "normal" shoes.
Active shoes Whitworth and Winnipeg have stretch panels on the outer and instep, making them ideal for bunions, alongside cut-to-fit adjustable straps.
We even include stretch panels on many of our Da Bella dress shoe styles, like Badminton and Constance, allowing you to get dressed up in style without discomfort.
Find our range of wide-fitting stretch shoes here
Sandals for oedema and lymphedema
We offer sandals of all types to suit all occasions and many of these are just great for people with lymphedema. Many open up wide and come with one, two or even three adjustable straps for ultimate adjustability, are built in a range of styles including sporty air-bubble soles like Peel or Starling, flat sandals like Hazel, Kylie or Eider, or wedge soles like Morton and Bobbie or Tuft.
All of these styles have extra-long, extended straps that can be cut to fit, which can help in the summer when the foot can swell more due to warm weather.
Variable Width Fittings
Many customers report swelling in one foot more than the other, meaning they need shoes in different width fittings. This isn't something that is easy to come by! However, our variable width fittings can accommodate this.
Our variable width fitting shoes work through the supply of removeable insoles, which allow you to turn a 6E shoe into an 8E shoe by simply removing 1 or 2 insoles. If you experience more swelling in one foot than the other, you can remove only the insoles from the shoe where you require the most space, leaving the other perfectly sized!
Find out more about our width fittings
View our V width fitting ladies footwear
View our 2V width fitting ladies footwear
View our 6V width fitting ladies footwear
View our V width fitting men's footwear
View our 2V width fitting men's footwear
View our 6V width fitting men's footwear
VAT Free Footwear
If you suffer from Lymphoedema then we hope that you can benefit from our wide & deep fitting footwear. Did you know that for our 6E, 8E or 6V width fittings you could qualify for VAT exemption? Just look for the link on the product page and complete the very short form and you could save 20% on the price of the product.
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature and should not be taken as a diagnosis. All questions and concerns should be directed to your Doctor, Podiatrist or other health advisor.
