Do I need to replace all our shoes after hip or knee surgery?

No, you don’t need to toss all your old shoes, but you do need to take a careful inventory. You can determine which shoes to part with after examining their overall condition and wear patterns. Shoes age and can “expire.” If they lose their cushioning or feel hard and flat, they should be replaced. Also check the soles of the shoe. If you see moderate to heavy wear on one side of the heel or sides of the sole, this reflects your old gait patterns before surgery. These shoes will not give your body the proper support needed for a smooth gait with your new joint and could even result in pain over time when you continue to wear them. When purchasing new shoes, look for good support and shock absorption with enough room at the tip and through the toe box for your foot to lie flat for balance. Lightweight is great, as is NON-SLIP. Be sure you have a new pair of good quality walking or athletic shoes to wear most often. Happy shoe shopping!   BoneSmart offers recommendations and member reviews for quality, comfortable shoes as a premium service to our Insiders Club members in a thread called Shoes for Recovery.