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The Science and Sociology of Footwear

Edited by Dr Anita Williams. 

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Journal of Foot and Ankle Research presents thematic series: The Science and Sociology of Footwear

Footwear plays an essential function in protecting the foot from mechanical trauma, but has a much broader impact on daily life due to the influence of fashion, occupational requirements, performance enhancement and its role in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal neurological disorders. This special JFAR collection will showcase the significant impact footwear has in both health and disease and will cover a wide range of methodological approaches, from biomechanics through to sociology. 

Individual articles address the following:  

  • Effects of footwear on human movement
  • Optimising the design and fit of footwear
  • Role of footwear in prevention of injury
  • Occupational footwear
  • Footwear in the treatment of lower extremity disorders
  • Psychology and sociology of footwear
  • Footwear considerations in forensics


  1. A small but building pool of evidence of the impact of footwear on children’s function means understanding the different beliefs of stakeholders about footwear key features and flexibility is critical for tran...

    Authors: Cylie M. Williams, Helen A. Banwell, Kade L. Paterson, Katherine Gobbi, Sam Burton, Matthew Hill, Emma Harber and Stewart C. Morrison
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2022 15:73
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. Podoconiosis is entirely preventable, non-communicable disease with high potential of elimination. The prevalence of podoconiosis in Ethiopia was 7.45%. One of the pillars for elimination of podoconiosis is mo...

    Authors: Chuchu Churko, Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw, Abayneh Tunje, Eyayou Girma and Zerihun Zerdo
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2021 14:31
    Content type: Research Published on:

  3. In specific populations, including those at risk of falls or foot ulcers, indoor footwear is an important aspect of preventative care. This study aims to describe the indoor footwear worn most over the previou...

    Authors: Alex L. Barwick, Jaap J. van Netten, Sheree E. Hurn, Lloyd F. Reed and Peter A. Lazzarini
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2019 12:45
    Content type: Research Published on:

  4. Runners and walkers often suffer from lower extremity injuries. Little is known about the relationship between their consumer behaviour towards footwear and the development of those injuries. Therefore, the ai...

    Authors: Tine Marieke Willems, Roel De Ridder and Philip Roosen
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2019 12:43
    Content type: Research Published on:

  5. Footwear is an important concern for people with gout, who often describe difficulty finding suitable footwear. Previous studies have identified footwear as a major concern for people with gout. The aim of thi...

    Authors: Mike Frecklington, Anita Williams, Nicola Dalbeth, Peter McNair, Peter Gow and Keith Rome
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2019 12:38
    Content type: Research Published on:

  7. Correct footwear fitting is acknowledged as being vitally important, as incorrectly fitted footwear has been linked to foot pathology. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the prevalence of incorr...

    Authors: Andrew K. Buldt and Hylton B. Menz
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:43
    Content type: Review Published on:

  8. The effects of footwear on the development of children’s feet has been debated for many years and recent work from the developmental and biomechanical literature has challenged long-held views about footwear a...

    Authors: Stewart C. Morrison, Carina Price, Juliet McClymont and Chris Nester
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:39
    Content type: Review Published on:

  10. A high percentage of the population report footwear related foot pain, yet there is limited research on the effect footwear has on the development of this pain. The aim of this study was to establish whether f...

    Authors: Moira McRitchie, Helen Branthwaite and Nachiappan Chockalingam
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:23
    Content type: Research Published on:

  11. Footwear can have both a positive and negative impact on lower limb health and mobility across the lifespan, influencing the risk of foot pain, ulceration, and falls in those at risk. Choice of footwear can be...

    Authors: Alex L. Barwick, Jaap J. van Netten, Lloyd F. Reed and Peter A. Lazzarini
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:19
    Content type: Research Published on:

  12. This narrative review explores the ways in which drawing on theories and methods used in sociological work on footwear and identity can contribute to healthcare research with podiatrists and their patients, hi...

    Authors: Emily Nicholls, Victoria Robinson, Lisa Farndon and Wesley Vernon
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:9
    Content type: Review Published on:

  13. The aim of this paper was to create an updated Australian guideline on footwear for people with diabetes.

    Authors: Jaap J. van Netten, Peter A. Lazzarini, David G. Armstrong, Sicco A. Bus, Robert Fitridge, Keith Harding, Ewan Kinnear, Matthew Malone, Hylton B. Menz, Byron M. Perrin, Klaas Postema, Jenny Prentice, Karl-Heinz Schott and Paul R. Wraight
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2018 11:2
    Content type: Research Published on:

  14. Many work places require standing for prolonged periods of time and are potentially damaging to health, with links to musculoskeletal disorders and acute trauma from workplace accidents. Footwear provides the ...

    Authors: Jennifer Anderson, Anita E. Williams and Christopher Nester
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2017 10:41
    Content type: Research Published on:

  15. Appropriate footwear for individuals with diabetes but no ulceration history could reduce the risk of first ulceration. However, individuals who deem themselves at low risk are unlikely to seek out bespoke foo...

    Authors: Stephen J. Preece, Jonathan D. Chapman, Bjoern Braunstein, Gert-Peter Brüggemann and Christopher J. Nester
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2017 10:27
    Content type: Research Published on:

  16. Pressure-related skin lesions on the digits are a significant cause of discomfort. Most foot pain related to ill-fitting shoes occurs in the forefoot and digital areas. Pain has been associated with poor shoe ...

    Authors: Bessie Hurst, Helen Branthwaite, Andrew Greenhalgh and Nachiappan Chockalingam
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2017 10:2
    Content type: Research Published on:

  17. Ill-fitting shoes have been implicated as a risk factor for falls but research to date has focused on people with arthritis, diabetes and the general older population; little is known about people with neurolo...

    Authors: Catherine Bowen, Ann Ashburn, Mark Cole, Margaret Donovan-Hall, Malcolm Burnett, Judy Robison, Louis Mamode, Ruth Pickering, Dan Bader and Dorit Kunkel
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2016 9:39
    Content type: Research Published on:

  19. A previous study highlighted the importance of footwear to individuals’ sense of their identity, demonstrating that shoes must ‘fit’ someone socially, as well as functionally. However, unhealthy shoes can have a ...

    Authors: Lisa Farndon, Victoria Robinson, Emily Nicholls and Wesley Vernon
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2016 9:17
    Content type: Research Published on:

  20. The majority of multi-segment kinematic foot studies have been limited to barefoot conditions, because shod conditions have the potential for confounding surface-mounted markers. The aim of this study was to i...

    Authors: J. Halstead, A. M. Keenan, G. J. Chapman and A. C. Redmond
    Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2016 9:7
    Content type: Research Published on: