Optimal choice of footwear in the elderly population.
To discover whether changes in foot morphology and pain tolerance may favor the use of inadequate footwear in old age. 100 participants, mean age 81.60 ± 8.26 years attended an outpatient clinic where self-reported demographic data, frequency checked their feet, measurements of foot sensitivity, foot size and shoe size. Only 19% checked their feet every day, 73% revealed symptoms of neuropathy and 83% used inadequate footwear on at least one foot. In a bivariate analysis, no significant differences were observed. Distinct physical changes affect the feet in the elderly population. Decreased sensitivity and absence of regular foot checks can contribute to use of inadequate footwear. Often, it is necessary to use a different shoe size to ensure that the footwear matches the actual dimensions and true needs of each foot in order to improve functionality and prevent the onset of severe medical conditions and/or foot deformities.
Research, Health and Podiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Universidade da Coruña, Spain. Electronic address: daniellopez@udc.es.
Daniel
D
López López
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain.
Marta Elena
ME
Losa Iglesias
School of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
Ricardo
R
Becerro de Bengoa Vallejo
University Center of Plasencia, Universidad de Extremadura, Spain.
Patricia
P
Palomo López
Orthopedic Surgical Center of Madrid, Spain.
Ángel
Á
Morales Ponce
Orthopedic Surgical Center of Madrid, Spain.
Alfredo
A
Soriano Medrano
Research, Health and Podiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Universidade da Coruña, Spain.
Francisco
F
Alonso Tajes
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012775:Shoes
Aging; Foot; Foot deformities; Foot disease; Quality of life