Could these be the ultimate knee savers?

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—If you suffer from arthritis of the knee, or just want more shock absorption for your feet and legs, it seems a no-brainer to always wear firm, well-cushioned shoes. But a new study suggests that the best shoes for your knees and legs may be those that offer the least support. In fact, going barefoot may be better still.

THE DETAILS: In the study, researchers at the Rush Medical College in Chicago analyzed the walking gait of 31 people with osteoarthritis of the knee. The researchers compared the amount of force and torque (collectively called “load”) that was placed on the knees while walking in four types of shoes that range from maximum to minimum support: clogs (the "croc" style many doctors and nurses wear on their rounds); stability-type running shoes; flat walking shoes; and flip-flops. The Rush team also measured load when subjects walked in their bare feet. Strangely, the clogs and stability shoes produced the most load on the knee, while flat walking shoes, flip-flops, and bare feet caused the least.

Read on for advice on preventing knee pain.