Long-Term Use Of Custom-Made Orthopedic Shoes 1 5-Year Follow-Up Study

This study investigated long-term use of custom-made orthopedic shoes (OS) at 1 5 years follow-up In addition, the association between short-term outcomes and long-term use was studied Patients from a previously published study who did use their first-ever pair of OS 3 months after delivery received another questionnaire after I 5 years Patients with different pathologies were included in the study (n = 269, response = 86%) Mean age was 63 +/- 14 years, and 38% were male After 1 5 years, 87% of the patients still used their OS (78% frequently [4-7 days/week] and 90% occasionally [1-3 days/week]) and 13% of the patients had ceased using their OS Patients who were using their OS frequently after 1 5 years had significantly higher scores for 8 of 10 short-term usability outcomes (p-values ranged from <0 001 to 0 046) The largest differences between users and nonusers were found for scores on the short-term outcomes of OS fit and communication with the medical specialist and shoe technician (effect sin range = 0 16 to 0 46) We conclude that patients with worse short-term usability outcomes for their OS are more likely to use their OS only occasionally or not at all at long-term follow-up