Publications by authors named "Maria Auhl"

Objective: We aimed to explore the relationship between bone shape and radiographic severity in individuals with first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis (first MTP joint OA).

Methods: Weightbearing lateral and dorsoplantar radiographs were obtained for the symptomatic foot of 185 participants (105 females, aged 22 to 85 years) with clinically diagnosed first MTP joint OA. Participants were classified into none/mild, moderate, or severe categories using a standardized atlas.

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Introduction/objectives: First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is prevalent, although the pathology of this condition is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine if there were differences in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of the first MTP joint between individuals with and without first MTP joint OA.

Method: This cross-sectional study compared 22 participants with first MTP joint OA to 22 control participants without first MTP joint OA (matched for age, sex, and body mass index).

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Objective: To examine the effects of shoe-stiffening inserts on lower extremity kinematics in individuals with first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Forty-eight individuals with radiographically confirmed first MTP joint OA (24 male and 24 female; mean ± SD age 57.8 ± 10.

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Background: Osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTP joint OA) is a common and disabling condition that results in pain and limited joint range of motion. There is inconsistent evidence regarding the relationship between clinical measurement of 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and dynamic function of the joint during level walking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between passive non-weightbearing (NWB) 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and sagittal plane kinematics in individuals with radiographically confirmed 1st MTP joint OA.

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Objective: To determine whether foot structure varies according to the presence and radiographic severity of first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Weight-bearing dorsiplantar and lateral radiographs were obtained for the symptomatic foot of 185 participants (105 women, ages 22-85 years) with clinically diagnosed first MTP joint OA. A validated atlas was used to classify participants as having radiographic first MTP joint OA and to stratify into 3 categories of severity (none/mild, moderate, severe).

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Objective: To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlas for the assessment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and to assess its intra- and interexaminer reproducibility.

Methods: MRI (proton density with and without fat suppression) was performed on the first MTP joint of 60 participants (30 participants with first MTP joint OA and 30 participants without first MTP joint OA). Characteristic MRI features of OA were then used to develop an MRI atlas of first MTP joint OA.

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Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the comparative responsiveness of outcome measures used for the assessment of pain and function in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients (mean ± SD age 57.2 ± 10.

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Background: Foot problems are common in older people. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether foot problems increase the risk of falling in community-dwelling older people.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2018.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to compare centre of pressure characteristics during walking in individuals with and without first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis (1st MTPJ OA), in order to provide insights into alterations in foot function associated with this condition.

Methods: Twenty people with 1st MTPJ OA and 20 asymptomatic controls matched for age, sex and body mass index underwent gait analysis using the emed-x400 plantar pressure system (Novel GmbH, Germany). Average and maximum centre of pressure velocity and lateral-medial force index during loading, midstance, terminal stance and preswing were compared between the groups.

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Background: Footwear has the potential to influence balance in either a detrimental or beneficial manner, and is therefore an important consideration in relation to falls prevention. The objective of this study was to evaluate balance ability and gait patterns in older women while wearing prototype footwear and insoles designed to improve balance.

Methods: Older women (n = 30) aged 65 - 83 years (mean 74.

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Background: Osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ OA) is a common and disabling condition commonly managed with footwear and orthotic interventions. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with a successful treatment response in people with 1st MTPJ OA provided with prefabricated orthoses or rocker-sole footwear as part of a randomised clinical trial.

Methods: People with 1st MTPJ OA (n = 88) who participated in a randomised trial were allocated to receive prefabricated foot orthoses (n = 47) or rocker-sole footwear (n = 41) and completed a baseline questionnaire including information on demographics, anthropometrics, general health, pain characteristics (including the Foot Health Status Questionnaire [FHSQ] and Foot Function Index [FFI]) and perceptions of the interventions, and a clinical assessment of foot posture, range of motion, radiographic severity and in-shoe plantar pressures.

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Background: This article describes the design of a parallel-group, participant- and assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of shoe-stiffening inserts versus sham shoe insert(s) for reducing pain associated with first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Ninety participants with first MTPJ OA will be randomised to receive full-length shoe-stiffening insert(s) (Carbon Fibre Spring Plate, Paris Orthotics, Vancouver, BC, Canada) plus rehabilitation therapy or sham shoe insert(s) plus rehabilitation therapy. Outcome measures will be obtained at baseline, 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks; the primary endpoint for assessing effectiveness being 12 weeks.

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Background: Footwear worn indoors is generally less supportive than outdoor footwear and may increase the risk of falls.

Objective: To evaluate balance ability and gait patterns in older women while wearing different styles of indoor footwear: a backless slipper and an enclosed slipper designed to optimise balance.

Methods: Older women (n = 30) aged 65-83 years (mean 74.

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This systematic review evaluated the available evidence for the effects of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) footwear on lower limb biomechanics during gait. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed) were searched in January 2015. Methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Quality Index.

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Objective: To evaluate the effects of prefabricated foot orthoses and rocker-sole footwear on spatiotemporal parameters, hip and knee kinematics, and plantar pressures in people with first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A total of 102 people with first MTP joint OA were randomly allocated to receive prefabricated foot orthoses or rocker-sole footwear. The immediate biomechanical effects of the interventions (compared to usual footwear) were examined using a wearable sensor motion analysis system and an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system.

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Objective: To compare the effectiveness of prefabricated foot orthoses to rocker-sole footwear in reducing foot pain in people with first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Participants (n = 102) with first MTP joint OA were randomly allocated to receive individualized, prefabricated foot orthoses or rocker-sole footwear. The primary outcome measure was the pain subscale on the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) at 12 weeks.

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Background: In recent years, several questionnaires have been developed for the assessment of foot health and its impact on quality of life. In order for these tools to be useful outcome measures in clinical trials, their ability to detect change over time (responsiveness) needs to be determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the responsiveness of two commonly-used questionnaires in older people with foot pain.

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Background: Foot pain is highly prevalent in older people and in many cases is associated with inappropriate footwear. This study evaluated the effectiveness of off-the-shelf, extra-depth footwear in reducing foot pain.

Methods: Community-dwelling older people with disabling foot pain (72 men and 48 women aged 65 to 96 years; mean age 82 [SD 8]) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 59) or control group (n = 61).

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Background: Osteoarthritis affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot is a common condition which results in pain, stiffness and impaired ambulation. Footwear modifications and foot orthoses are widely used in clinical practice to treat this condition, but their effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated. This article describes the design of a randomised trial comparing the effectiveness of rocker-sole footwear and individualised prefabricated foot orthoses in reducing pain associated with first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

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Background: Ill-fitting footwear is a common problem in older people. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of shoe fitting in older people by comparing the dimensions of allocated shoes to foot dimensions obtained with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner.

Methods: The shoe sizes of 56 older people were determined with the Brannock device®, and weightbearing foot scans were obtained with the FotoScan 3D scanner (Precision 3D Ltd, Weston-super-mare, UK).

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