Best Shoes for Swollen Feet
What are Swollen Feet?
Swollen feet are often medically referred to as edema. Edema is a common condition characterized by a buildup of fluid that can occur in different areas of your body, including your legs and feet. This excess fluid occurs as a result of an imbalance in the body.
With edema, fluids seep through the veins and settle in the various tissues in between. When this excess fluid becomes trapped, it causes the area to bloat and puff up, resulting in swelling.
In many cases, the fluid is pulled downwards because of gravity. This is why edema often affects the feet and other extremities, such as the ankles, hands, arms, and legs. In such cases, the condition is referred to as peripheral edema.
Swelling in your feet can happen for a variety of conditions. Most cases of swollen feet and ankles are acute or temporary conditions. Examples of such cases include swelling due to excess salt intake, sitting too long in one position, sprains, strains, or even pregnancy.
Some cases of swollen feet may also be due to chronic health problems. These include obesity, alcoholism, or damaged lymph nodes.
Regardless of the cause, there are many effective home remedies and lifestyle changes you can apply before trying any conservative treatment options. Sometimes, all that’s needed is to switch to extra-wide or velcro shoes for swollen feet.
More invasive measures like surgery are only necessary if there is a serious underlying medical condition. A water bottle massage can be a simple yet effective way to reduce discomfort and promote circulation. Check out the video below to learn how to perform this technique at home and find relief for your swollen feet.
Most Common Causes & Risk Factors
There are many possible reasons why your feet may swell. These range from minor injuries and situational conditions to chronic medical conditions. Below, we take a look at some of the most common causes of swollen feet.
- EdemaExcess fluid can build up and get trapped in our body, often causing our extremities to expand and puff up. Edema can occur not only in the feet and ankles but also in the legs, arms, and hands.Edema
- PregnancySwollen feet and ankles are commonly experienced by women during pregnancy and tend to worsen as the due date nears. The combination of pressure from the growing womb and the extra fluid in the body causes swelling or edema.Pregnancy
- Obesity or being overweightToo much body mass can adversely affect your blood circulation. When this happens, fluid can build up in your feet, ankles, and legs, thus causing swollen limbs.Obesity or being overweight
- Sitting too long in one positionA lack of movement can reduce healthy circulation in the body and increase the risk of fluid pooling at your feet and ankles. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, take walking breaks to help relieve any swelling.Sitting too long in one position
- Foot or ankle injuriesMinor injuries, such as sprains, and major trauma to the foot or ankle, often lead to greater blood flow to the area, which causes swelling. Infected wounds may also cause the surrounding area to become inflamed or swollen.Foot or ankle injuries
- Ill-fitting shoesShoes that are too tight or too small reduce circulation and constrict the blood vessels in your feet. This pressure reduces the movement of fluids, which causes more fluid to leak into the body tissues and result in swollen or bloated feet.Ill-fitting shoes
- Hot weatherAs temperatures rise, your veins expand to help cool off the body. This causes more fluid to seep into the tissue around it and cause swelling. The fluid often collects in the body’s extremities or outermost parts, such as feet and hands.Hot weather
- Excessive salt or alcohol intakeConsuming too much salt or alcohol can cause your body to retain water, resulting in swollen feet and ankles. Repeated foot swelling due to drinking alcohol, especially when not excessive, may be a sign of liver or kidney problems.Excessive salt or alcohol intake
- Prescription medicationsSome medications, particularly those that cause increased water retention, can make your feet swell. These include antidepressants, diabetes medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and blood pressure medication.Prescription medications
- Venous insufficiencyVenous insufficiency occurs when your blood leaks through the blood vessels and is thus unable to flow properly through the body. A doctor can best assess and diagnose the presence of this condition.Venous insufficiency
Symptoms & Diagnosis
- Shiny or stretched skin
- Puffy skin
- Dimples or dents remain after pressing the skin
- General discomfort
- Pain when standing or walking
- Reduced mobility
These are the common symptoms of swollen feet and ankles. In general, these symptoms are not a cause for concern and go away with simple home care treatments.
However, there are also cases of swollen feet that require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of such cases include:
- Unexplained painful swelling of the legs
- Pain and swelling that does not go away or get better
- Accompanying fever
- Blisters or ulcerations in the leg
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains or tightness
- Puffy areas feel warmer
- Redness or inflammation
Upon noticing any of these symptoms, make sure to visit a doctor and receive urgent care. Learn more tips to help manage swollen feet at home in the Treatment section below.
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about swollen feet. Read on to find out more!
- About 19% to 20% of adults over 50 experience swollen feet or ankles.
- Ankle and foot swelling is more common in spring and summer, with the highest incidences occurring in midsummer, according to Google search trends.
- Peripheral edema or swollen feet affects 80% of women with normal pregnancies.
- The number one cause of peripheral edema in older patients (ages 50 and up) is venous insufficiency.
- Though anyone can get swollen feet, the condition is most prevalent among the elderly, people of low socioeconomic status, and women.
Treatment
Want to know how to cure your swollen feet? We review treatment tips and advice on how you can prevent future swelling, and recommend our top picks for relief!
Many of the conservative treatment options for swollen feet are easy to do. Despite the many different causes of swollen feet and ankles, the remedies to reduce swelling best manage the condition remain largely the same.
General Treatment for Swollen Feet:
To help treat edema of the foot and ankles, consider adopting a few key habits.
• Drink plenty of water
• Reduce your salt and alcohol intake
• Wear compression socks
• Exercise regularly
• Elevate your feet
• Wear shoes for swollen feet
For Pregnancy-Related Swollen Feet:
Aside from wearing maternity shoes for pregnant swollen feet, it also helps if pregnant mamas drink plenty of water and eat magnesium-rich foods to reduce foot and ankle bloating.
Foods rich in magnesium include dark chocolate, nuts, green leafy vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and fiber-rich grains.
Soaking your feet in an Epsom salt bath can also be a great option to relieve discomfort and supplement your magnesium intake.
For Weather or Nutrition-Related Swelling:
If your feet are swelling due to the hot weather or excess salt or alcohol consumption, it helps to soak your feet in cool water. You may also try using a cold compress and doing simple leg exercises to get the blood flowing.
Most importantly, make sure to drink plenty of water, since heat, salt, and alcohol can dehydrate you.
Ultimately, the best shoes for pregnancy swollen feet, shoes for diabetic swollen feet, and other conditions such as plantar fasciitis are all the same. Look for footwear that features wide toe boxes, plenty of cushion, flexible uppers, and high-quality arch support.
Additionally, make sure the shoe does not push the toes together and constrict the flow of blood. KURU offers a wide variety of pain-relieving shoes for people with swollen feet.
FAQs
How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?
The best shoes to buy depends on each individual’s needs and preferences.
The best shoes for swollen feet—men’s and women’s alike—feature spacious toe boxes and abundant padding or underfoot cushioning. Wide toe boxes help ensure the toes do not cramp up and reduce further constriction of the blood vessels.
Additionally, a cushioned sole absorbs shock and helps the foot stay in place comfortably. Lightweight shoes have flexible uppers and breathable materials that may also help prevent swelling during hot weather.
Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
Many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and say they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
Even though KURU shoes were not initially intended to be orthopedic shoes, thousands of our customers say they experience relief from various foot conditions—especially plantar fasciitis! Our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by any medical standard, but the feedback from customers has been incredible!
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Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
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KURUSOLE
The heel, ankle, and arch support from our patented KURUSOLE starts under the arch and extends to wrap around the heel. …Show More
The heel, ankle, and arch support from our patented KURUSOLE starts under the arch and extends to wrap around the heel. KURUSOLE cups and protects your heel and dynamically flexes with each step to help absorb impact, redirect stress, and encourage a healthy gait.
…Show less - 2
KURUCLOUD
Our KURUCLOUD base layer delivers the utmost comfort. Made of lightweight EVA foam, it ensures you get enough padding to fully support …Show More
Our KURUCLOUD base layer delivers the utmost comfort. Made of lightweight EVA foam, it ensures you get enough padding to fully support your feet and relieve pressure. KURUCLOUD’s soft cushioning offers shock absorption to reduce strain and injury for swollen feet.
…Show less - 3
ULTIMATE INSOLE
Our ULTIMATE INSOLE offers the comfort and support of an orthotic built into fashionable shoes. The durable, dual-density polyurethane foam lasts longer …Show More
Our ULTIMATE INSOLE offers the comfort and support of an orthotic built into fashionable shoes. The durable, dual-density polyurethane foam lasts longer than thin inserts and adapts to the shape of your feet for custom, properly fitted shoes for swollen feet.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
The heel, ankle, and arch support from our patented KURUSOLE starts under the arch and extends to wrap around the heel. KURUSOLE cups and protects your heel and dynamically flexes with each step to help absorb impact, redirect stress, and encourage a healthy gait.
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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