Relationship of the Use of Short Footwear with the Development of Hallux Valgus in a Sample of Andalusian Schoolchildren

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown the relationship between poor footwear fit and the risk of feet deformities. The available evidence seems to show that the development of hallux valgus deformity in the feet of schoolchildren may be related to the use of shoes that are poorly fitting in length. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between poor footwear fit in length and risk of developing hallux valgus. Methods: Using an instrument that was designed and calibrated for this purpose, maximum foot length was obtained and compared to the inner length of the shoe in 187 schoolchildren. Hallux valgus angle (HVA) was measured on weight-bearing podogram image obtained from the longest foot in 188 schoolchildren. Results: By default, the footwear was poorly fitting in length (too short or close-fitting) in 38.5% of the schoolchildren, with boys having the worst footwear fit; though no significant differences stood out. (p = 0.276). Regarding the HVA, no significant differences were recorded according to age or gender (p = 0.573). A strong correlation was observed between too-short footwear and the increase in HVA in 10-year-old boys (r = 0.817; p = 0.025) and in 9-year-old girls (r = 0.705; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Inadequate footwear fit in length may be a predisposing extrinsic risk factor for the development of hallux valgus in schoolchildren of both sexes. Results of the present study demonstrate the need to adapt the sizes of footwear to the rapid increase in foot-length that occur at puberty to avoid the risk of developing hallux valgus, especially at the ages of onset pubertal foot growth.

Protocol Article: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Children’s Feet and Lower Extremities

“…For these motivating reasons, the pediatric orthopedics section of the Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Association of Danish Podiatrists have started a project for the evaluation and screening of children's feet and lower extremities in Danish primary schools. Wearing shoes can be underestimated concerning the health of children's feet, but a too-tight-fitted shoe is known to predispose to hallux valgus and lead to foot pain in children [20][21][22]. Studies in the European setting indicate that children in these countries often wear shoes that are too small [23,24].…”

“…Studies in the European setting indicate that children in these countries often wear shoes that are too small [23,24]. The effect of shoe fit also impacts the development of pathological diseases such as apophysitis of the calcanei, and simple ingrown toenails and may give rise to deformities, ingrown toenails, or non-specific foot pain [20,22,25]. In this study, we plan to evaluate this using the commercial technology of 3D surface scanning and evaluate the appropriateness of shoe fitting via the measurement of shoe size.…”

Relationships between the Perception of Footwear Comfort and the Fear of Falls in People at the Early Period of Old Age

“…Additionally, footwear with elevated or narrow heels, soft midsoles, and lack of fixation is considered to be detrimental [10]. Wearing such footwear can significantly increase the sway of the body's center of gravity, predisposing to loss of balance and, consequently, falls [11][12][13][14][15].…”