Aids for people with osteoarthritis
Tautokotanga mō te hunga pona ngoikore
There are many aids and devices for osteoarthritis sufferers that can make a big improvement to your day-to-day activities.
You can buy shock-absorbing footwear and orthotics to put in your shoes, which you may find helps with your osteoarthritis. If you have osteoarthritis in your knees, you might also like to try using a knee brace or wedge shoe insole.
Other devices that you might find helpful include:
You can buy these devices online through Arthritis New Zealand (0800‑663‑463) or through your occupational therapist. Sometimes you can use the Disability allowance to help with the cost.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2024.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Arthritis New Zealand, retrieved August 2024.
HealthPathways – Osteoarthritis, retrieved August 2024.
Image and embedded video sources
Illustration of ankle arthritis from Shutterstock (image ID 229583662). January 2017.
Image of a couple riding bikes from Shutterstock (image ID 289559072). June 2016.
Image of a couple walking in a park from Shutterstock (image ID 1483985414). March 2021.
Image of a foot in a plaster cast from Shutterstock (image ID 426587587). January 2017.
Image of a man exercising in front of a laptop from Shutterstock (image ID 1684787092). August 2021.
Image of a woman exercising in a mobility action plan class from the Mobility Action Plan team, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha and the Ara Institute of Canterbury. May 2024.
Image of an exercise class provided by Green Prescription. September 2015.
Mobility action plan video from the Mobility Action Plan team, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha and the Ara Institute of Canterbury. May 2024.
Video about osteoarthritis from Medical Illustrations, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha on Vimeo.
Page reference: 5634
Review key: HIOST-35589
