Improvement in Mechanical Pain and Disability in Patients With Flatfoot After the Use of Medical Shoes

TL;DR

Medical shoes help reduce pain and improve mobility in people with flatfoot, but their long-term disability benefits are unclear.

Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of medical shoes in improving pain and functional mobility in flatfoot patients.

Findings

Medical shoes significantly reduced pain levels in standing, end-of-day, and worst pain severity.

Improved functional mobility was observed in walking, climbing stairs, and standing on toes.

No significant long-term disability benefits were found from medical shoe use.

Abstract

Background and objective

Flatfoot (pes planus), a common condition associated with pain and functional limitations, can significantly impact the quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of medical shoes in reducing pain and improving functional mobility among individuals with flatfoot in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted over one year involving 400 participants aged 18-65 years. Participants were categorized into two groups: those using medical shoes and those not using medical shoes. Data on pain levels, functional mobility, and disability were collected using validated scales such as the Foot Function Index (FFI). Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression to compare outcomes between groups.

Results

Participants using medical shoes reported significantly reduced pain levels, particularly in terms of standing (p=0.024), end-of-day pain (p=0.010), and worst pain severity (p=0.001). Improvements in functional mobility were also noted, with significant reductions in difficulty when walking four blocks (p=0.012), climbing stairs (p=0.014), and standing on toes (p=0.007). However, no significant differences were observed in long-term disability indicators, such as the use of assistive devices or physical activity restrictions (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that medical shoe use was associated with significant pain and mobility benefits in unadjusted models, although these associations became statistically insignificant after controlling for confounders.

Conclusions

Medical shoes effectively reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with flatfoot, particularly in activities requiring joint flexibility and strength. However, their impact on long-term disability remains inconclusive. Integrating medical shoes with physiotherapy and behavioral strategies may further optimize outcomes. We recommend future longitudinal studies to evaluate sustained benefits and refine intervention strategies.