Footwear Experiences of People With Chronic Musculoskeletal Diseases

Abstract

Objective. Foot pain and deformities are frequently reported by people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, but only limited research has been conducted to explore the key issues concerning footwear difficulties in this population. The aim of this study is to explore, identify, and describe the main issues surrounding the footwear experiences of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases. Methods. A qualitative manifest content analysis of open-ended survey responses concerning footwear experiences was conducted from a national footwear survey of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases in New Zealand. Eighty-five respondents submitted usable responses. Specific statements in the text were identified as units of analysis prior to coding and organizing these units into emerging mutually exclusive categories. Content analysis was independently undertaken by 3 researchers, and the final categories and coding were achieved through consensus. Frequencies of assigned units of analysis were calculated in order to obtain a quantitative description for each category. Results. Four categories encompassing a total of 9 subcategories related to the footwear experiences of respondents emerged from the qualitative data content analysis: difficulty finding appropriate footwear; dissatisfaction with therapeutic footwear provision and foot care access; high costs of footwear, foot care, and self-care; and satisfaction with therapeutic footwear and foot care. Conclusion. Key categories describing the important issues surrounding the footwear experiences of respondents with chronic musculoskeletal diseases were identified, which may provide important targets for improving footwear and foot care services and self-management strategies.

Experience of finding footwear and factors contributing to footwear choice in people with gout: a mixed methods study using a web‐based survey

“…In the current study, lack of width was the predominant concern, which likely reflects the frequency of gout in the first metatarsophalangeal joint [4]. The perception that suitable footwear is too expensive and difficult to find also reflects our previous work [12].…”

“…A qualitative study exploring people’s knowledge of gout described the inability to put shoes on, or wear appropriate shoes, as impacting on work and social life [5]. In addition, our group explored experiences of footwear in people with inflammatory arthritis, including a small number with gout, using a web-based survey [11, 12]. Issues relating to footwear in people with inflammatory arthritis included difficulty in finding appropriate footwear, dissatisfaction with prescribed therapeutic footwear and the high cost of footwear [11, 12].…”

A qualitative study exploring the experiences and perceptions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after wearing foot orthoses for 6 months

“…Prior work indicates that people with RA often use footwear which may contribute to foot pain, for example, selecting footwear that is too small, and this is strongly associated with disability (Tovaruela-Carrión et al, 2018). Participants often describe difficulties not only finding suitable footwear (Hendry et al, 2015) in terms of improving their foot pain but also to improve their physical image in front of others (such as family, friends and colleagues) (Naidoo et al, 2010).…”

Effect of a thin customized insole on pain and walking ability in rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized study

“…Although insoles provide some degree of pain relief, earlier studies have shown that they are often not used if they do not fit preferred shoes (Hendry et al, ; Naidoo et al, ; Williams & Graham, ). In the present study, the participants reported that the insoles could be used in most footwear, and 90% were still using their insoles after 1 year.…”

“…However, in our clinical experience both kinds of insoles have certain shortcomings. Custom‐built insoles take time to manufacture and are expensive, and many patients, especially women, do not wear them as they often do not fit the shoes they prefer to wear (Hendry, Barr, Brenton‐Rule, & Rome, ; Naidoo et al, ; Williams & Graham, ). A drawback of prefabricated, non‐customizable insoles is that, in our experience, they may not always support the patient's foot arches adequately.…”