Epidemiology of Shoe Wearing Patterns Over Time in Older Women: Associations With Foot Pain and Hallux Valgus

Abstract

Background:Foot problems are prevalent in older women and are thought to be associated with footwear. This study examined women’s shoe wearing patterns over time and evaluated associations between footwear characteristics and foot pain and hallux valgus.Methods:Women aged 50–89 years (n = 2,627) completed a survey that included drawings of four toe-box shapes and four heel heights. For each life decade, participants indicated which footwear style they wore most of the time. Foot pain in the past 12 months and hallux valgus were documented by self-report. Logistic regression examined associations between heel height, toe-box shape, foot pain and hallux valgus.Results:Wearing shoes with a high heel and very narrow toe box between the ages of 20 and 29 was common, but decreased to less than 10% by the age of 40. Compared with women who had worn shoes with a very wide toe box, the likelihood of hallux valgus increased in those who had worn shoes with a wide (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% CI 1.03–3.71), narrow (2.39, 1.29–4.42) and very narrow (2.70, 1.46–5.00) toe box between the ages of 20 and 29 and those who wore shoes with a very narrow toe box (1.93, 1.10–3.39) between the ages of 30 and 39.Conclusions:Women wear shoes with a lower heel and broader toe box as they age. Wearing constrictive footwear between the ages of 20 and 39 may be critical for developing hallux valgus in later life.

Epidemiology and bone‐related comorbidities of ingrown nail: A nationwide population‐based study

“…revealed that women's shoe‐wearing patterns over time consisted of wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes between the ages of 20 and 39, which could be critical for developing hallux valgus in later life. Accumulation of chronic mechanical stimulation provokes bone deformity and increases the chances of middle‐aged women rather than men to develop IN . Another possible explanation for this result is that women may tend to visit hospitals more easily than men.…”

“…In addition, there was a higher proportion of females in the IN group than in the control group. Menz et al 11 revealed that women's shoe-wearing patterns over time consisted of wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes between the ages of 20 and 39, which could be critical for developing hallux valgus in later life. Accumulation of chronic mechanical stimulation provokes bone deformity and increases the chances of middle-aged women rather than men to develop IN.…”

“…Accumulation of chronic mechanical stimulation provokes bone deformity and increases the chances of middle-aged women rather than men to develop IN. 11 Another possible explanation for this result is that women may tend to visit hospitals more easily than men.…”

Chronic foot pain in older people

“…However, there is some evidence that the use of high heels diminishes with age. A survey of 2,627 women aged 50 years and over found that the use of high heels was common between the ages of 20 to 29, but declined to less than 10% by the age of 40 years [73]. This may be indicative of a life-course trajectory in which the influence and perceived importance of fashion diminishes over time and is replaced with a greater emphasis on comfort and practicality.…”

Prolong Wearing of High Heeled Shoes Can Cause Low Back Pain

“…According to another study, the women age between 20 and 29 wear high heel and developed hallux valgus in later age [8]. Mechanism of causing back pain by high heeled shoes was explained by Weitkunat and colleagues in their study in which 23 female participants were included and influence of high heeled shoes were investigated on the sagittal balance of the spine and the whole body [9].…”