Questionnaire study of the use of surgical shoes prescribed in a rheumatology outpatient clinic.

Our questionnaire study was undertaken to ascertain the proportion of patients who use an appliance and to what extent, up to a year after being prescribed. Twenty-four percent no longer used the appliance. Two-thirds wore their orthosis for more than 6 hours/day. Half the patients had surgical shoes--moulded and bespoke, most found their shoes of benefit. Moulded shoes were found to be worn more frequently and to be more comfortable, easier to put on and more attractive. Patients reported a significantly greater improvement in their condition with moulded shoes than with bespoke shoes.