Navigating Conservative Strategies for Ankle Osteoarthritis Treatment: Understanding Footwear Preference—Rocker Bottom Shoes and Ankle Foot Orthotics.

Background: Ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) is a progressive condition that impairs mobility and reduces quality of life. Conservative treatments like rocker bottom (RB) shoes and ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed, but their effectiveness in managing AOA is not well understood, and patie...

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Publicado en:Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics (JPO) Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 178 - 185
Autores principales: Muir, Brittney C., Carranza, Christina, Li, Jing-Sheng, Sangeorzan, Bruce, Aubin, Patrick M.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 7/1/2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: 7/1/2026
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      pub: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
      place: Baltimore, Maryland
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        atl: Navigating Conservative Strategies for Ankle Osteoarthritis Treatment: Understanding Footwear Preference—Rocker Bottom Shoes and Ankle Foot Orthotics.
      aug:
        au:
          Muir, Brittney C.
          Carranza, Christina
          Li, Jing-Sheng
          Sangeorzan, Bruce
          Aubin, Patrick M.
        affil: BRITTNEY C. MUIR, PhD
      sug:
        subj:
          Conservative Treatment
          Osteoarthritis, Ankle Therapy
          Foot Orthoses Utilization
          Patient Preference Evaluation
          Shoes
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Pilot Studies
          Crossover Design
          Telehealth
          Pain Measurement
          Functional Assessment
          Questionnaires
          Patient-Reported Outcomes
          Feedback
          Age Factors
          Physical Mobility
          Pain Management
          Body Height
          Comfort
          Physical Activity
          Decision Making, Clinical
          Massachusetts
          Activities of Daily Living
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Analysis of Variance
          Qualitative Studies
          Correlation Coefficient
          T-Tests
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Quality of Life
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) is a progressive condition that impairs mobility and reduces quality of life. Conservative treatments like rocker bottom (RB) shoes and ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed, but their effectiveness in managing AOA is not well understood, and patient preferences are underexplored. Objectives: This is a pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of RB shoes and AFOs in managing AOA and to identify factors influencing patient preferences for these conservative treatments. Study Design: This was a cross-over telehealth study involving 10 participants with doctor-diagnosed AOA. Each participant wore three footwear conditions: control shoes, RB shoes, and AFOs, each for 3 weeks. Methods: Participants completed baseline pain ratings and functional assessments using PROMIS and FAAM questionnaires. After each 3-week footwear session, participants reported pain levels and provided feedback on their preferred footwear. Results: Younger participants (aged 56–63) preferred AFOs for pain relief and improved mobility, while older (aged 66–75) and taller participants preferred RB shoes for their comfort. No significant differences were found in pain or function across footwear conditions, but AFO-preferred participants experienced significant reductions in maximum pain compared to the RB group. Conclusions: Footwear preferences were influenced by age and activity level. Younger participants preferred AFOs for functional benefits, while older participants prioritized comfort and selected RB shoes. These findings emphasize the need for personalized conservative treatment strategies in managing AOA. Clinical relevance statement: This pilot study highlights the importance of tailoring conservative treatments for AOA based on age and activity level. Understanding patient preferences can help guide clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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