Footwear limitations in women prosthesis users relate to more than preference.

Background: The option to wear desired footwear may be an important part of community reintegration after lower-limb amputation.

Objectives: This study explored outcomes related to footwear, health, and participation in women Veterans with lower-limb amputation.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was mailed to all women Veterans age 18-82 years with major lower-limb amputation(s) who had received prosthetics services in the US Department of Veterans Affairs (N = 538). The questionnaire assessed Perceived Challenges (including clothing limitations, prosthetic foot limitations [width, height, and shape], and shoe avoidance for safety concerns), type of footwear used and preference, and included subscales from the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, Amputee Body Image Scale Prosthetic Limb Users' Survey of Mobility, Community Participation Index, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Bivariate correlations examined relationships between a composite measure of Perceived Challenges and patient-reported outcomes.

Results: One hundred questionnaires were returned (18.6% response rate; 3 excluded for limited prosthesis use). The Perceived Challenges score was significantly correlated with scores for the Amputee Body Image Scale-Revised (r = 0.24, p = 0.019), Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (ability to participate: r = -0.25, p = 0.014), Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (utility: r = -0.32, p = 0.001, appearance: r = -0.48, p < 0.001), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (r = -0.20, p = 0.046), and Prosthetic Limb Users' Survey of Mobility (r = -0.21, p = 0.036), but not depression or anxiety.

Conclusions: Women who have greater issues with how their prosthesis affects the shoes and clothing they can wear also have poorer body image, reduced functional capabilities, and lower reported participation in activities. Improved prosthetic foot design may help to improve social participation and other important outcomes for women prosthesis users.