FOOTWEAR CHOICES FOR
PAINFUL FEET
AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY EXPLORING FOOTWEAR
AND FOOT PROBLEMS IN WOMEN
ABSTRACT
Background: A high percentage of the
population report footwear related foot
pain, yet there is limited research on the
effect footwear has on the development
of this pain. The aim of this study was to
establish whether footwear purchased
by patients have an association with foot
pain and what choices determined a
purchase decision.
Methods: Shape and size
measurements of the dominant foot
and footwear (length and width) were
taken from 67 female participants who
routinely received podiatric treatment.
Participants were also asked to
complete a short questionnaire to rate
the shoe characteristics, emotions whilst
wearing and reasons for the purchase.
Results: Results highlighted a high
prevalence of structural foot pathology
for those over 61 who preferred slip on
shoes. This group also wore shoes that
were significantly narrower than their feet
with width difference correlating to the
presence of Hallux Abductovarus (HAV).
In addition, results indicate that individual
footwear advice is more important than
previously thought, as it is clear that
choice of footwear worn to podiatry
appointments are not always worn on a
daily basis.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes
that the width of the shoe is an
important part of fit, highlighting the
need for patient specific footwear
assessment and education for behavior
changes.
By Moira McRitchie, Helen Branthwaite
and Nachiappan Chockalingam
Current Pedorthics | July/August 2018
25