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

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.