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Older people and ill fitting shoes
Suzanne L Burns1, G P Leese, M E T McMurdo
1Ageing and Health, Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK. sburns@tpct.scot.nhs.uk
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|August 2, 2002
Summary
Most elderly patients in rehabilitation wards wear ill-fitting shoes, increasing risks of foot pain and ulceration. Simple footwear assessments can prevent these common foot problems in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Podiatry
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Foot health is critical for older adults, with ill-fitting footwear elevating risks of calluses, ulcers, and falls.
- Existing data is insufficient to quantify the prevalence of problematic footwear in elderly populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of elderly individuals on a rehabilitation ward with incorrectly sized shoes.
- To identify associated foot complications in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Measured foot dimensions and recorded footwear size for 65 rehabilitation ward patients (Mental State Questionnaire score >6).
- Assessed sensation using a 10g monofilament, noted ulceration, and recorded foot pain via a visual analogue scale.
- Collected data on history of diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy.
Main Results:
- 72% of patients wore ill-fitting shoes, defined by length or width discrepancies.
- Incorrect shoe length was significantly linked to foot ulceration (OR=10.04, p=0.016).
- Foot ulceration was also associated with peripheral vascular disease (OR=11.56, p=0.008), and pain with incorrect shoe length and sensory impairment.
Conclusions:
- The majority of older adults in rehabilitation settings use poorly fitting footwear.
- Ill-fitting shoes correlate with increased foot pain and ulcer formation.
- Routine footwear evaluation can enhance comfort and prevent avoidable foot disorders in the elderly.