%0 Journal Article
%T "I could cry, the amount of shoes I can't get into": A qualitative exploration of the factors that influence retail footwear selection in women with rheumatoid arthritis
%A Serena Naidoo
%A Stephanie Anderson
%A Joanna Mills
%A Stephanie Parsons
%A Stephanie Breeden
%A Emma Bevan
%A Camilla Edwards
%A Simon Otter
%J Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1757-1146-4-21
%X Eleven women with RA wearing normal retail footwear were recruited from an out-patient podiatry clinic in the south east of England. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and an interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted for data collection and transcript analysis.Six key themes were revealed from the analysis: (1) the nature of foot complaints and deformities, (2) aesthetic appearance and design of footwear, (3) body image, (4) psychosocial aspects, (5) Perceptions of footwear and (6) the therapeutic value of retail shoes. These contributed to an overarching concept of loss of choice associated with retail footwear. In particular, the areas discussed most frequently throughout were themes (2), (3) and (4), which were notably more 'emotional' in nature.Limitations in retail footwear for these women have impacted on their individuality, linking significantly with their body image. The loss of choice in footwear as a consequence of the disease impacts negatively on emotions, wellbeing and was identified in reduced self-perceived quality of life.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, symmetrical inflammatory disease typically affecting several joints in the hands and feet [1]. This autoimmune disease causes synovial inflammation and destruction of joint architecture, leading to pain, loss of joint function, muscle atrophy from disuse and inability to participate in work and social activities [1-4]. These factors are often associated with disability and poor or reduced health-related quality of life [5,6]. The irreversible destructive changes within the foot often cause visible changes in foot structure, causing difficulty in finding safe and comfortable retail footwear [2,7]. A poorly fitting shoe may exacerbate foot complaints, induce further damage or cause falls due to reduced proprioceptive capacity, balance and postural reactions [8,9]. The impact of poorly fitting footwear may be under-estimated; indeed Williams and Bowden [10] reported that onl
%U http://www.jfootankleres.com/content/4/1/21