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Clinical Trial
. 2004 Nov;71(6):542-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2003.09.007.

Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Othmane Mejjad et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Nov.

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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