Year: 2025 | Month: April | Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 285-289
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250441
Association between Footwear Type and Impact of Daily Footwear Duration on Heel Pain among Young Adults across Ahmedabad City
Dr. Bhakti Shaileshbhai Patel1, Dr. Amit M. Patel2
11st Year MPT student (Orthopaedics), 2Senior Lecturer and PG Guide (Orthopaedics),
JG College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Bhakti Shaileshbhai Patel
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND NEED OF RESEARCH: Heel pain is a common issue among young adult women often linked to improper footwear choices and prolonged daily use. Prolonged use of improper footwear can alter gait mechanics, affect weight distribution and contribute to chronic pain or foot deformities. Additionally, many individuals do not seek medical attention for heel pain until it becomes severe, leading to increased healthcare costs and reduced quality of life. This study aims to correlate between Footwear choices and duration of use on heel pain.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among young adult women aged 18-35 years residing in Ahmedabad city. A total of 142 participants were included in this study. Data were collected through Google Form survey, which gathered information on footwear type, daily duration of footwear use, and presence and severity of heel pain.
RESULTS: Chi-Square analysis showed a significant association between footwear type and heel pain (χ² = 18.54, p = 0.005) and daily footwear duration and heel pain (χ²(6) = 16.964, p = 0.009). Post-hoc analysis revealed: Heels < 3 inches had higher heel pain (Adjusted Residual: 5.0). Sneakers/Shoes had lower heel pain (Adjusted Residual: -4.3).Wearing footwear for 6-8 hours increased heel pain risk (Adjusted Residual: 3.5), while 4-6 hours was associated with lower risk (Adjusted Residual: -3.1).
CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize importance of choosing appropriate footwear and managing daily usage duration to mitigate heel pain risk.
Key words: Heel pain, Footwear Type, Daily Footwear Duration, Young Adult Women, Ahmedabad City