PubMed · 15589436
Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Prescribing foot orthotics in rheumatoid arthritis patients with symptomatic forefoot involvement is a standard practice. However, limited research has been reported regarding gait and pain improvement with the use of foot orthotics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients (13 F, 3 M; mean age: 52 +/- 12 years) with metatarsalgia due to rheumatoid arthritis were included in this prospective, randomized with crossover study, and received foot orthotics. At 1 month follow-up, space and time gait variables with and without foot orthotics were assessed by Bessou's locometer; pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Pain levels significantly decreased (P = 0.008) by wearing foot orthotics. Despite a significant step length increase (P = 0.05) with orthotics, there was no significant improvement of stride length, cadence, or walking speed which was the main assessment criterion. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing foot orthotics improves pain, but not sufficiently to improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients with metatarsalgia. Foot orthotics improved comfort levels because of a decrease in pain, but was not sufficient to correct gait.
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Othmane Mejjad, Olivier Vittecoq, Sophie Pouplin, Léocadie Grassin-Delyle, Jacques Weber, Xavier Le Loët, Groupe de Recherche sur le Handicap de l'Appareil Locomoteur. 2004. Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2003.09.007
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