For many of us, choosing a new pair of shoes is a matter of finding something that looks good, feels comfortable, and fits our budget. We often don’t put much thought into it beyond that—not even to question whether we are choosing the right size. I discovered the folly in that shortly after I adopted my youngest dog. As we began walking together, I found my usual shoes were very uncomfortable and went to buy a new pair. I thought I knew my size, but the person assisting me recommended a foot measurement. It turned out I had been wearing a size too big, which meant that even the best shoes couldn’t perform as intended. As any pedorthist would say, shoe size is important, but only one aspect to consider when selecting appropriate footwear. In this issue, we discuss how pedorthists in retail settings ensure their customers have shoes that not only fit well but also address any foot ailments. There’s also interesting research about what elements patients prioritize in deciding on therapeutic footwear.
In “Pedorthic Practice in the Retail Shoe Business,” we spoke with four long-term retail shoe store owners. They have been providing pedorthic services alongside traditional shoe sales to provide a unique customer experience that can’t be matched by online vendors and big-box stores. In addition to providing appropriate shoes, they work with customers to address pressure points and other foot issues through either custom or off-the-shelf orthotics and find the additional professional service they provide sets them apart and keeps their customers coming back.
One of the greatest frustrations for O&P providers who offer therapeutic footwear to people with conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or structural foot problems is patients’ resistance to choosing shoe styles appropriate to their clinical needs. “Footwear Preferences and Priorities” explores research into how patients make these decisions and how clinicians can use this information to educate and guide patients toward choices that meet their clinical and nonclinical needs.
Finally, moving from the feet to the knees, part 2 of “Beyond Unloaders: Delaying Knee OA Progression” shares several conservative approaches in treating knee osteoarthritis.
Happy reading.
Andrea Spridgen
