Ergonomic footwear design for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients: A Systematic review of Anthropometric and Footwear solutions

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that gets worse over time. It can cause stiffness, pain, and trouble moving around, which can make daily life very difficult. For RA patients, proper shoes are extremely important for increasing mobility, lowering pain, and improving general quality of life. Focusing on anthropometric data, material advancements, and smart footwear technologies, this systematic review investigates ergonomic footwear solutions created especially for RA patients. Custom-made therapeutic shoes, orthotic insoles, and sensor-integrated shoes were evaluated using a methodical literature search of Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The results s how different methods, such as 3D scanning for a precise fit, IoT-enabled smart insoles for real-time gait monitoring, and tailored midsole density for better pressure distribution. Material developments, such as sustainable and antimicrobial insole materials, also help to improve both comfort and durability. Findings show sensible RA shoes need appropriate arch support, cushioning, pressure distribution, and lightweight materials. Although tailored therapeutic shoes are still the most efficient, retail footwear options with ergonomic changes provide good substitutes for everyday usage. Still major obstacles, though, are aesthetic issues, cost, and lack of uniformity in anthropometric data. This study emphasises the need to combine medical, technical, and user-centred design strategies to provide practical yet comfortable shoes for RA patients. It also stresses the need for more study to standardise foot measurement methods, improve smart shoe use, and create creative ideas that balance medical advantages and daily wearability, hence supporting ongoing work in this vital area.