Choice Of Footwear Research Articles

Natural Approaches & Transdermal Innovations for Foot Corns: A Comprehensive Review

Skin diseases are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide, affecting billions. Foot corns, also known as clavus, are a significant issue within this category. These thickened skin lesions, marked by a cone-shaped keratin core, arise from repetitive friction or pressure, often due to poor-quality or ill-fitting footwear. Women are disproportionately affected, largely because of specific footwear choices. Corns and calluses, although similar, have distinct features and locations, both causing discomfort and leading many to seek podiatric care. Foot corns affect 14% to 48% of the population, underscoring the need for effective treatments. Transdermal drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution, offering controlled, targeted medication delivery through self-contained patches, which minimizes systemic side effects. Recent research indicates the potential of combining natural remedies such as turmeric, neem, aloe vera, and tea tree oil with Transdermal drug delivery system for treating foot corns. These natural ingredients, known for their therapeutic properties, enhance treatment outcomes when used with advanced drug delivery technology. This combination not only increases the effectiveness of managing foot corn but also improves the quality of life for affected individuals. The success of the Transdermal drug delivery system in treating foot corns highlights the need for further research to optimize these systems and ensure their accessibility. For individuals with chronic foot issues, where traditional treatments may be inadequate, Transdermal drug delivery combined with natural remedies represents a significant advancement. This innovative approach offers a more effective and practical solution for managing foot corns and other skin conditions, providing hope and relief to millions worldwide.

Footwear and Foot Health: Unveiling the Role of Proper Shoe Fit in Preventing Podiatric Issues and Enhancing Well-Being

Background: The appropriate choice of footwear is crucial for foot health, yet its impact on different populations and medical conditions remains understudied. This review explores the effect of shoe fit on the prevention of podiatric disorders and overall well-being. Methods: The research included major academic databases such as MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, and PEDro, using specific keywords. A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, encompassing studies on shoe fit across diverse populations and conditions. Medical databases and grey literature were also included. Results: Five studies were included, covering topics such as footwear advice for women over 50, the effect of shoes in preventing calluses under the metatarsals, the effectiveness of a shoe-related intervention for gout patients, and the impact of custom-fitted shoes on physical activity in children with Down syndrome. Results showed that well-fitting shoes can prevent callus formation, but the efficacy of custom-fitted shoes for increasing physical activity requires further research. Conclusions: The choice of appropriate footwear should not be solely based on aesthetic considerations but rather on the specific needs of each individual. Physicians should consider providing advice on appropriate shoe characteristics as a primary intervention

The experiences of podiatrists prescribing custom foot orthoses and patients using custom foot orthoses for foot pain management in the United Kingdom: A focus group study.

Foot pain can be a significant burden for patients. Custom foot orthoses (CFOs) have been a mainstay in podiatry treatment for foot pain management and improving foot function. However, little is known about podiatrists' experience of prescribing CFOs or patient experience of using foot orthoses (FOs), including CFOs, for foot pain. A focus group (FG) discussion with three FOs users (Female=2 and Male=1) was conducted in November 2022 within a private podiatry practice. This group represented non-experts from the general local population of individuals with existing or previous foot pain who have personally experienced using either over-the-counter FOs or CFOs. An online FG discussion with five musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist podiatrists (Female=2 and Male=3) was also conducted in December 2022. This group represented podiatrists with specialist knowledge in foot biomechanics and clinical experience in CFO provision. The FG discussions were recorded and lasted 49 and 57min respectively. Transcribed data was manually coded, and a thematic analysis was undertaken to identify patterns within the collected data. The participants in the patient FG detailed mixed experiences of the prescription process and CFOs received, with reports of limited involvement/input in their prescription, the need for frequent adjustments and high costs. The impact on footwear choices, replicability and transferability of CFOs into different types of shoes and technologies to aid design were also highlighted. In the podiatrist FG, lack of confidence in design and manufacture processes, prescription form language, relationship and communication building with manufacturers, variability in the CFOs issued and the need for better student education in CFO provision emerged as key themes. Patients and podiatrists shared similar views on CFO provision, namely poorcommunication with manufacturers leading to dissatisfaction with the CFOs prescribed causing negative impacts on patient experiences. Podiatrists called for greater education at registration level to increase new graduate podiatrist knowledge in CFO design and manufacture and better collaboration with manufacturing companies.

Does policy that provides choice in athletic footwear affect musculoskeletal injury risk in US Coast Guard recruits?

IntroductionMusculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are ubiquitous during initial entry military training, with overuse injuries the most common. A common injury mechanism is running, an activity that is integral to US Coast...

Sacred Footwear: Latvian Perceptions in the 19th Century and Today

This article sheds light on previously overlooked perceptions of Latvian traditional footwear and demonstrates how both the material of the footwear and the way of obtaining it determined whether shoes were considered sacred and pure or sinful and unlucky. An analysis of folklore texts and the results of a contemporary survey show that wooden shoes made of bast were looked upon as sacred and pure, as opposed to leather which was considered impure. Bast shoes are the cheapest to make, yet historical records from central Latvia show that they were worn for weddings. Peasants did this to ensure success for the couple, suggesting that the choice of footwear was determined by some mythological meaning and not only by practical or financial considerations. Though some new developments can be observed, many modern Latvians tend to sympathize with the perceptions documented a century ago. This allows for estimates of the significance of these perceptions in previous centuries.

Prevalence and Association of Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis Among Nurses in Government Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel discomfort and pain, resulting from inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thickened fibrous aponeurosis extending from the medial calcaneal tuberosity to the metatarsal heads. It affects more than 1 million people worldwide annually, with a lifetime prevalence that may reach 10% of the general population. Despite its widespread impact, the exact incidence remains unknown. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of plantar fasciitis among nurses working in government tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted over six months, utilizing a convenient sampling technique. A total of 332 female nurses aged 25 to 50 years with clinical duties exceeding five hours per day participated in the study. Data were collected using the Plantar Fasciitis Pain and Disability Scale and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity. Face-to-face interviews and physical assessments were conducted by trained healthcare professionals. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with descriptive statistics calculated for quantitative variables and Chi-Square tests used to examine associations between variables. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.8042 ± 3.67743 years. The mean total score for plantar fasciitis was 31.4096, and the mean VAS score was 1.9458. Pain occurrence per week was reported as 1-2 days by 44.0% of participants, 3-4 days by 46.7%, and 5-7 days by 9.3%. Pain was most commonly worse in the afternoon (35.8%) and interfered with walking occasionally (52.7%). High heel standing was uncomfortable for 54.5% of participants. A significant relationship was found between age and VAS scores (p=0.001), as well as between high heel usage and increased pain levels (p=0.000). Conclusion: The mean score of plantar fasciitis among the nurses was below the threshold indicating significant prevalence. However, a significant association was found between high heel usage and plantar fasciitis, suggesting that footwear choices play a critical role in the development of this condition. Ergonomic interventions promoting supportive footwear and regular breaks are recommended to mitigate the risk of plantar fasciitis among nurses.

The Appropriateness of Footwear in Diabetic Patients Observed during a Podiatric Examination: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Adequate compliance with wearing therapeutic footwear (TF) to prevent diabetic foot ulcers is known to be low. The primary aim of this study was to identify population awareness about the ulceration and/or recurrence risk according to footwear choice. The secondary aim was to evaluate the compliance level in footwear choice based on a patient's own risk. Methods: Forty podiatrists participated from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018, providing six-section forms which included personal data, risk classification, footwear characteristics and a knowledge questionnaire. Results: This study included 1507 patients. Those with active ulcers were excluded. A total of 43% of patients belonged to risk class 0, 19% to risk class 1, 19% to risk class 2 and 19% to risk class 3. A total of 58% had foot deformities. Conclusions: Nearly half of patients with a high risk of ulceration had knowledge of their own risk but the majority of them did not follow the recommendations. Only a small percentage (36%) of risk class 3 patients wore footwear suitable for their risk class. There was poor consideration of footwear choice among patients. We highlight critical issues in patient education and compliance with wearing footwear appropriate to their risk class.

An exploration of footwear preferences, attitudes and beliefs in people with knee osteoarthritis: A qualitative study

BackgroundAlthough footwear can improve pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), perspectives about footwear in this population have not been explored. ObjectivesThis qualitative study explored preferences, attitudes and beliefs about footwear in adults with knee OA. MethodsTwenty individuals with a clinical diagnosis of knee OA (aged 45–79 years, 65% women) participated in semi-structured interviews about factors which influence footwear selection, the effect of footwear on knee symptoms, and footwear modifications. Data were analysed thematically. ResultsFour themes, with sub-themes, were identified: i) there are specific footwear characteristics people look for, with comfort as their top priority; ii) shoe appearance is important; iii) footwear can aggravate or ease symptoms; and iv) people with knee OA find footwear in a variety of ways. Participants related built-in arch support, a cushioned insole and low/no heel, without addition of foot orthoses, to comfort, and were willing to pay more for comfort and quality. Appearance was also a consideration, and participants indicated they would tolerate short periods of symptom aggravation for aesthetic shoes. Participants felt that footwear choice affected their knee symptoms and risk of slipping/twisting. Participants reported that their footwear choices were determined through trial-and-error, and sometimes on advice from health professionals or shoe store salespersons. ConclusionsThere are specific footwear features important to individuals with knee OA. Knowledge of these features can be used by health professionals to inform footwear discussions with knee OA patients and serve as considerations when developing footwear targeted for this population.

A review of the injuries caused by occupational footwear.

Occupational footwear is intended to provide protection against the risks associated with work activities. The choice of footwear is complex due to the welfare, health and safety conditions of workers. To identify the injuries and problems caused by occupational footwear through a systematic review of the existing literature. A literature search was carried out in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Dialnet Plus, Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases over the period 2000-23, following the PRISMA Declaration guidelines. A total of 27 studies were included in the review. The results indicated that there is a wide variety of injuries caused by occupational footwear: from dermal injuries (e.g. calluses) and injuries to the nail apparatus to inflammatory pathologies such as plantar fasciitis or bursitis. In addition, inappropriate footwear can cause pain in the ankle and foot, knees, hips and lower back. Other results include the discomfort derived from the footwear itself. Inappropriate footwear can cause injuries to the foot and other related bone structures. Further studies are needed on the detection of foot injuries caused by occupational footwear and the levels of action at this level to improve the worker's health, the adaptability of the footwear to the wearer, and the worker's comfort and adherence to the footwear.

Musculoskeletal Effects of Prolonged Use of Safety Footwear among Construction Workers in Selected Sites of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Occupational injuries and work-related musculoskeletal disorders are among the significant issues affecting the construction industry. This work evaluated the musculoskeletal effects of prolonged use of safety footwear on the field construction workers of selected construction sites of a company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study used a Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire as the primary tool. The study revealed the short-term and long-term effects of repeated use of safety footwear for long periods. The gender distribution of the respondents showed that (76%) were male while (24 %) were female. The research also reported that (84.8%) of the respondents experienced ankle pain, (49.6 %) suffered hip pain, (34.8%) suffered neck pain and (34.8%) suffered lower back pain respectively from prolonged use of safety footwear which ranged from mild, moderate to severe pain. Chi-square test and correlation analysis at p-value (0.05) were conducted for the test hypotheses with a decision to reject the null hypothesis (H0) if p <0.05. The results showed p-values of (0.707), (0.434); (0,288), 0.066); (0.159), (0.828), and therefore the null hypotheses were not rejected for hypotheses 1, 2, and 3. The study revealed that 35.6 % of respondents were not trained to use safety boots properly. The study further recommends that organizations should ensure work rotation and break periods for workers, and adequate training, education, and awareness programs should be conducted in organizations to enlighten workers on the proper usage and hazards of safety footwear. Employers and decision influencers (managers and safety supervisors) should also be educated about foot health and safety footwear choices that will meet workers' requirements in the work environment, improve working conditions for workers, and impact the high level of MSDs repeatedly reported in the construction industry.

Enhancing Footwear Safety for Fall Prevention in Older Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Design Features.

Falls are a global concern affecting people of all ages; however, older adults are particularly vulnerable to age-related factors and foot-related issues. Footwear is critical for preventing falls, as it provides stability and protection against slips, trips, and falls (STFs). However, a significant gap exists in the systematic exploration of the safety aspects of footwear design for fall prevention in older adults. This comprehensive review applied a meticulous search strategy encompassing prominent databases, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, ResearchGate, and PubMed. This review synthesized and analyzed existing research to bridge knowledge gaps and provide insights into optimal footwear choices for older adults in terms of design features such as fit, fixation, heel height, collar height, slip resistance, and sole/insole hardness. The results underscore the importance of specific design features for preventing falls among older adults. A proper fit, secure fixation, appropriate heel and collar heights, slip resistance, and sole/insole hardness significantly contributed to fall prevention. These findings offer valuable guidance for optimizing footwear designs to enhance comfort, stability, and safety in the daily lives of older individuals. This comprehensive review fills a critical knowledge gap regarding the safety of footwear designs for fall prevention in older adults. The identified design features play a vital role in reducing the risk of falls and offer practical recommendations for the development of safer footwear. Ultimately, this study contributes to the existing knowledge base and supports efforts to prevent STFs in older adults through improved footwear design.

Impact of High-Heeled Footwear on the health of the young female students of selected colleges of Mangalore, India

Introduction: High-heeled shoes are a leading cause of foot problems and chronic lower limbs, as well as discomfort, fatigue, and an increased risk of injury. The research aimed to analyze the influence of wearing high-heeled shoes on the foot health of young females. The study emphasizes the need to create awareness among females about the detrimental impacts of utilizing heeled footwear over the long term on discomfort, BMI, and functional capacity. A slight change in footwear choices could significantly reduce discomfort and disability experiences. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select 50 young female students studying in Mangalore's undergraduate college for the cross-sectional study. A pre-designed and pre-tested structured Google Form questionnaire was used to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and outcome measures, including the location of pain, the intensity of the pain, and functional ability. Data was collected in the second half of 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: According to the survey, 46% of young female students exhibited poor functional activities while wearing high heels. It was found that 12% of students had pain in their toes all of the time, 8% had pain in the arch of their foot, and 25% had discomfort in their lower back occasionally. About two-thirds (64%) felt averagely manageable discomfort. Conclusion: The study found that wearing heeled shoes has a significant influence on women's musculoskeletal systems. Young females will be better able to resist pain from the deforming effects of footwear if they condition their feet properly and choose the appropriate footwear.

Biomechanical analysis of barefoot walking and three different sports footwear in children aged between 4 and 6 years old.

The technological transformation and advertising utilized in the footwear industry significantly impact purchasing decisions. The gait properties, barefoot and with shoes, change depending on the footwear structure. The aim of this work is the biomechanical analysis of walking barefoot and with different sports shoes in a controlled group of 12 children between 4 and 6 years old. Kinematic and spatiotemporal variables were analyzed using a BTS motion capture analysis system with the Helen Hayes protocol. Previously, a survey was carried out with 262 families with children between 4 and 6 years old to justify the choice of footwear for this study. No significant differences were found between any of the measured conditions. The kinematic results showed significant differences in the ankle (right sagittal plane p = 0.04, left p < 0.01; right frontal plane p < 0.01, left p < 0.01), knee (right and left sagittal plane p < 0.01) and hip (right sagittal plane p < 0.01, left p = 0.04; right frontal plane p = 0.03). Additionally, the post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between barefoot gait and different footwear. The footwear used for this study and each one's various characteristics are not preponderant in the spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of the children's gait. Thus, the footwear purchase may be conditioned by its design or composition and other properties may not be relevant.

Examination of Feet in People with Diabetes

Diabetic foot is a common complication of diabetes and leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. Neuropathy, deformity, infection and ischemia play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcer. A multidisciplinary team approach by a nurse, physician, diabetic foot surgeon and the caregiver as well as close monitoring can prevent foot complications. Proper foot care, foot hygiene, annual foot examination and correct choice of footwear are main factors in preventing foot problems, ulceration and amputations. Physicians play a lead role in early detection and prevention of foot problems. This article will focus on how to perform foot examination in routine clinical practice.

Addressing the Inertia: A Holistic Approach to Diabetic Foot Evaluation.

Diabetic foot is a well-known complication with considerable morbidity and mortality related to the diabetic population. Neuropathy, deformity, infection and ischemia are important contributors to the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers. A multidisciplinary team approach by physicians, nursing staff, diabetic educators and the caregiver as well as close monitoring of feet by the patient himself can prevent foot-related complications. Proper foot care, foot hygiene, annual foot examination and the correct choice of footwear are the main elements in preventing foot problems like deformity, ulceration and amputations. Physicians play a key role in the early detection and prevention of foot problems. Foot evaluation is the most neglected part of physical examination in diabetic patients. This inertia is evident in both physicians and patients. Emphasis on visual inspection and physical foot examination at every visit may address the morbidity and mortality due to diabetic neuropathy and vasculopathy. This article will highlight extensively history taking and foot examination in the diabetic foot clinic. Optimal glycemic control, simple foot care practices, knowledge and appropriate footwear use play an important role to reduce the disease burden.

Australian secondary school principals’, parents’, and students’ attitudes to prescribed school footwear guidelines

BackgroundAdolescents are often required to wear footwear that adheres to uniform guidelines at secondary school. There is a paucity of literature on factors influencing school footwear choice and what drives the development of school footwear guidelines. The aims of this study were to describe (i) current school footwear guidelines in secondary schools across Australia, (ii) factors that influence footwear choice in secondary school students and their parents, and (iii) principals, parents, and students’ beliefs on factors which contribute to school footwear guidelines.MethodsAn online survey was distributed to principals, secondary school students (aged 14–19 years) and their parents across Australia. The survey included questions on current school footwear guidelines, factors influencing footwear choice (for students and parents), participants beliefs on the effect footwear has on musculoskeletal health, current and previous lower limb pain, and beliefs on factors that contribute to school footwear guidelines. Parent and student responses to factors that influence their footwear choice were compared using proportional odds logistic regression. Students and parents’ responses to factors influencing footwear guidelines were compared to principal responses using proportional odds logistic regression. Significance was set at an alpha of < 0.05.ResultsEighty principals, 153 parents and 120 secondary school students responded to the survey. 96% (77/80) of principals reported that their schools have set guidelines for school footwear. 88% of principals considered comfort to be important when developing school footwear guidelines. Proportional odds logistics regression showed that parents and students were 3.4 and 4.9 times more likely, respectively, than principals to rate comfort as being important when schools develop footwear guidelines. More than 40% of students reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain, and 70% of these students reported the pain to be exacerbated when in their school shoes. Less than a third of participants considered healthcare recommendations important to the development of footwear guidelines.ConclusionsNearly all principals that participated in this survey had set guidelines for school footwear. There is a discord between parents, students, and principals on the importance that factors such as comfort, play in the development of school footwear guidelines.

Flip-Flops: A Survey of Risk Perception and Acceptance

This study’s goal was to better understand risk tolerance associated with wearing flip-flops. A review of existing biomechanical data revealed substantial differences in gait kinematics and kinetics and an increased risk of falling when wearing flip-flops. However, users’ awareness of this increased risk and its potential influence on footwear decisions have not been studied. Nearly 800 participants were surveyed to evaluate usage behaviors of flip-flop wearers. Most participants found flip-flops comfortable and easy to wear, recognized the increased likelihood of a slip, trip, or misstep when wearing flip-flops, and reported experiencing such an event, mostly without injury. Older adults were less likely to have these attitudes and experiences regarding flip-flops. Despite the collective practical knowledge of an increased risk of a slip, trip, or misstep, most participants accepted the risk and chose to wear flip-flops, i.e., footwear choice was infrequently affected by awareness of the increased risk.

Contributing factors to musculoskeletal disorders in women who routinely use high heels

Introduction: High heels are still the top choice of women's footwear and have an aesthetic function. A previous study showed that high heels were the potential to give musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to find the presence of musculoskeletal disorders and the factors influencing the routine and long-term use of high heels amongst bank employees. Methods: This is an observational study with a cross-sectional design. The research study participant collection was carried out in November - December 2020 in several Bank branches; 233 participants were obtained. Each participant was given a questionnaire about musculoskeletal disorders and the factors influencing high heels used. Results: It was found that there is a relationship between body mass index (BMI), shoe height, and the length of time used per week for the pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in the use of high heels. However, it was found that there is no relationship between the type of shoes and the pain VAS using high heels. Conclusion: The higher BMI, shoe height, and the longer time using high heels per week contribute to the increasing pain VAS amongst high heel users.

Factors Influencing Runner's Choices of Footwear.

Until the mid-2000s, qualitative research has been virtually absent from running injury research. A handful of studies have been recently published regarding the attitudes and perceptions of runners and coaches toward injury development. Footwear is frequently perceived as a risk factor for running related injuries, but empeirical evidence fails to support such beliefs. The reasons why runners choose specific footwear warrants formal investigation to further understand the links between footwear and running related injuries. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing runners choices of footwear. Interviews were conducted with 12 runners. Recordings from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and themes were developed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed 15 unique factors that influence runner's choices of footwear for running. These factors were grouped into three main themes: personal footwear characteristic preferences, other people and economic considerations. Runners largely gather information about their footwear choices from past experiences and people they trust and admire. They also emphasized the complexity of footwear choices due to availability and the constant changes preset within the footwear industry. This research adds to the growing body of knowledge to better understand the wider running injury system. Further studies are needed to establish how runners perceptions of their footwear impact injury rates and to develop effective injury prevention strategies.

Rotational traction of soccer football shoes on a hybrid reinforced turf system and natural grass

Traction between a football shoe and the playing surface influences a players’ ability to perform football-specific movements. Too little traction means a player might slip. Too much traction is thought to increase the risk of injury due to foot fixation on the turf. Rotational traction is linked to increased injury risk in football. Elite football is increasingly played on hybrid reinforced natural grass playing surfaces. Our aim is to assess the magnitude of rotational traction of one new hybrid turf system and compare that to a natural grass (control) surface. Nine different Football shoes from three outsole groups (artificial grass, firm ground, soft ground) were loaded onto a portable shoe-surface traction machine to collect rotational traction data on two different playing surfaces (1. Natural Rye grass, 2. A hybrid reinforced turf system) at a single testing session. Peak rotational traction was significantly different across different shoe models (F = 379.8, df = 8, p < 0.0001) and shoe outsole groups (F = 387.4, df = 2, p < .0001). No significant difference was found between the natural grass surface and the hybrid reinforced turf system after considering the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the traction device. Wide-ranging differences in peak rotational traction were found across different individual soccer shoes and outsole groups. The Adidas Nemesis (AG) showed the lowest traction and the Nike Vision (SG) shoe had the highest traction (MD 28.7 N.m; 95% CIs 26.4–30.9; p < 0.0001). The artificial grass (AG) group showed the lowest traction values while the soft ground (SG) group the highest. This objective shoe-surface traction data can help with more informed footwear choices for football played on this type of hybrid playing surface to minimize the risk of lower extremity injury.