Use and usability of custom-made orthopedic shoes

Abstract

Abstract-The goal of this study was to investigate the use of custom-made orthopedic shoes (OS) and the association between the use of OS and the most relevant aspects of their usability. Over a 6-month period, patients meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited by 12 orthopedic shoe companies scattered throughout the Netherlands and asked to complete a questionnaire composed of a pre-and post-OS section. Patients with different pathologies were included in the study (n = 339; response 67%). Mean age of the patients was 63 +/-15 years, and 38% were male. Three months after delivery, 81% of the patients used their OS frequently (4-7 days/week), 13% occasionally (1-3 days/week), and 6% did not use their OS. Associations were found between use and all measured aspects of usability (p-values varied from <0.001 to 0.028). Patients who used their OS more often had a more positive opinion regarding all the aspects of usability. We conclude that all aspects of the usability of OS are relevant in relation to their use and should be taken into account when prescribing and evaluating OS.

Long-term use of custom-made orthopedic shoes: 1.5-year follow-up study

“…A shortened version of the Monitor Orthopedic Shoes (MOS) [12] was sent as a follow-up measurement to patients from a previously published study [4] 1.5 years after delivery of their first-ever pair of OS. If patients did not respond within 1 month, the questionnaire was sent again as a reminder.…”

“…The present study is a follow-up of a previously published study in which short-term use (3 months after delivery of a patient's first pair of OS) was investigated [4]. The first aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term use of OS 1.5 years after delivery of a patient's first pair.…”

“…Recently, we found that most OS are used shortly after delivery [4]. However, short-term use of an assistive technology (AT) does not necessarily lead to long-term use [5][6].…”

“…For OS, short-term usability outcomes are associated with short-term use. For example, more benefits of OS with regard to walking capacities, wound healing, and pain reduction; more comfort and ease of use of OS; and a more positive opinion on the cosmetic appearance of the OS have all been associated with higher levels of use [4,[8][9][10][11]. Whether these short-term outcomes are associated with long-term use as well is not known.…”

Fifty years after Zamosky's article "Shoe modifications in lower-extremity orthotics"

“…As such, patients have an increased role in their own care compared with 50 years ago. This is reflected in studies with patientreported outcomes as a primary outcome measure [7][8], together with a shift in clinical practice from a product-oriented toward a patientoriented method of prescribing and providing shoes.…”