Efficacy of arch contouring foot orthoses for midfoot osteoarthritis: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and disabling condition. Arch contouring foot orthoses have been recommended for midfoot OA, yet there is no high-quality evidence from randomised controlled trials to support their use. This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of arch contouring foot orthoses for midfoot OA.

Current and future advances in practice: mechanical foot pain.

Mechanical foot pain affects ∽20% of the UK population >50 years of age, with ∼10% reporting disabling pain that impacts daily activities. For most people, foot pain improves over time, but for some this can become chronic and disabling, affecting physical activity, participation, mental health and work capacity. Mechanical foot pain can present as localized pain, but more often the pain presents in multiple structures.

A multi-professional survey of UK practice in the use of intra-articular corticosteroid injection for symptomatic first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Background: The first metatarsophalangeal joint is the most common site of osteoarthritis (OA) in the foot and ankle. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are widely used for this condition, but little is known about their use in practice. This study explored current practice within the UK National Health Service (NHS) relating to the administration of intra-articular corticosteroids for people with painful first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) OA.

Research priority setting in UK podiatric surgery.

Evidence-based practice provides the foundation for high quality patient care, and in the NHS, research is seen as vital to enable service transformation and improve outcomes. Research is one of the four pillars of enhanced and advanced clinical practice and is therefore a fundamental part of podiatric surgery services. In order to meet the UK health research strategies, the most recent being 'Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery' (2021), the Faculty of Podiatric Surgery in the UK agreed to support the development of research priorities in order to inform a future research strategy.

Intrinsic foot muscle size and associations with strength, pain and foot-related disability in people with midfoot osteoarthritis.

Background: To compare intrinsic foot muscle size between people with and without symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis, and examine the association between muscle size and strength, pain and foot-related disability.

Methods: Twenty-three participants with symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis and 23 age, sex and BMI matched controls were included. Intrinsic foot muscle cross-sectional area was measured using MRI.

Bone Marrow Lesions and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Detected Structural Abnormalities in Patients With Midfoot Pain and Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected structural abnormalities in patients with symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis (OA), patients with persistent midfoot pain, and asymptomatic controls, and to explore the association between MRI features, pain, and foot-related disability.

Methods: One hundred seven adults consisting of 50 patients with symptomatic and radiographically confirmed midfoot OA, 22 adults with persistent midfoot pain but absence of radiographic OA, and 35 asymptomatic adults underwent 3T MRI of the midfoot and clinical assessment. MRIs were read for the presence and severity of abnormalities (bone marrow lesions [BMLs], subchondral cysts, osteophytes, joint space narrowing [JSN], effusion-synovitis, tenosynovitis, and enthesopathy) using the Foot Osteoarthritis MRI Score.

Foot and Leg Muscle Weakness in People With Midfoot Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To compare foot and leg muscle strength in people with symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) with asymptomatic controls, and to determine the association between muscle strength, foot pain, and disability.

Methods: Participants with symptomatic midfoot OA and asymptomatic controls were recruited for this cross-sectional study from general practices and community health clinics. The maximum isometric muscle strength of the ankle plantarflexors, dorsiflexors, invertors and evertors, and the hallux and lesser toe plantarflexors was measured using hand-held dynamometry.

Development and Reliability of a Preliminary Foot Osteoarthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score.

Objective: Foot osteoarthritis (OA) is very common but underinvestigated musculoskeletal condition and there is little consensus as to common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary foot OA MRI score (FOAMRIS) and evaluate its reliability.

Methods: This preliminary semiquantitative score included the hindfoot, midfoot, and metatarsophalangeal joints.

Comparability of off the shelf foot orthoses in the redistribution of forces in midfoot osteoarthritis patients.

Background: Midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) is more prevalent and strongly associated with pain than previously thought. Excessive mechanical loading of the midfoot structures may contribute to midfoot OA and studies suggest that functional foot orthoses (FFO) may relieve pain through improving function. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the mechanical effect of two off-the-shelf FFOs, compared to a sham orthosis in people with midfoot OA.

Effectiveness of neuromuscular taping on pronated foot posture and walking plantar pressures in amateur runners.

Objectives: To determine the effect kinesiotaping (KT) versus sham kinesiotaping (sham KT) in the repositioning of pronated feet after a short running.

Design: Prospective, randomised, double-blinded, using a repeated-measures design with no cross-over.

Methods: 116 amateur runners were screened by assessing the post-run (45min duration) foot posture to identify pronated foot types (defined by Foot Posture Index [FPI] score of ≥6).

Foot orthoses in the treatment of symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis using clinical and biomechanical outcomes: a randomised feasibility study.

This randomised feasibility study aimed to examine the clinical and biomechanical effects of functional foot orthoses (FFOs) in the treatment of midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) and the feasibility of conducting a full randomised controlled trial. Participants with painful, radiographically confirmed midfoot OA were recruited and randomised to receive either FFOs or a sham control orthosis. Feasibility measures included recruitment and attrition rates, practicality of blinding and adherence rates.

Ligament and bone pathologic abnormalities more frequent in neuropathic joint disease in comparison with degenerative arthritis of the foot and ankle: implications for understanding rapidly progressive joint degeneration.

Objective: The variable disease progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and the basis for rapid joint deterioration in some subgroups of patients are poorly understood. To explore an anatomic basis for rapidly progressive OA, this observational study compared the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns of disease between patients with neuropathic joint disease (NJD) and patients with degenerative arthritis of the ankle and foot.

Methods: MR images of the foot and ankle of patients with early NJD (n = 7) and patients with OA (n = 15) were assessed.

Weight-bearing passive dorsiflexion of the hallux in standing is not related to hallux dorsiflexion during walking.

Study Design: Case control study.

Objective: To explore the validity of the assumptions underpinning the Hubscher maneuver of hallux dorsiflexion in relaxed standing, by comparing the relationship between static and dynamic first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint motions in groups differentiated by normal and abnormal clinical test findings.

Background: Limitation of motion at the first MTP joint during gait may be due to either structural or functional factors.

The relationship between hallux dorsiflexion and ankle joint complex frontal plane kinematics: a preliminary study.

Background: It has been suggested that the function of the first metatarsophalangeal joint may be related to the motion of the ankle joint complex.

Objective: This study explored the relationship between ankle joint complex and first metatarsophalangeal joint motion during gait in a group of 14 who demonstrated clinically limited passive hallux dorsiflexion in quiet standing (cases), and 15 matched controls.

Method: An electromagnetic tracking system was used to measure the ankle joint complex frontal plane motion and first metatarsophalangeal joint sagittal plane motion during gait, in both cases and controls.