Rheumatoid flat foot and deformity of the first ray.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between flat foot and forefoot deformities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to improve understanding of the progression of deformity and thus provide more appropriate treatment.


METHODS
Anteroposterior and lateral weight-bearing radiographs were obtained of 308 feet of patients with RA and 202 feet of patients with neck pain (control feet).


RESULTS
In women with RA, we observed with disease duration an increased frequency of flat foot that was correlated with first ray deformity (chiefly metatarsus primus adductus) and severe stages of disability. Flat foot increased very markedly after 3-4 years of disease duration. In control women, flat feet were more frequent after the age of 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
In RA the inflammatory and mechanical factors leading to foot deformity must receive early medical treatment to avoid progressive hindfoot deformities that lead to disability.
Bouysset
Maurice
M
Department of Rheumatology, Hĵpital Edouard-Herriot, Lyon, France. scm.rhumatologie-caladoise@wanadoo.fr
Tebib
Jacques
J
Noel
Eric
E
Tavernier
Thierry
T
Miossec
Pierre
P
Vianey
Jean-Claude
JC
Duivon
Jean-Pierre
JP
Bonnin
Michel
M
Nemoz
Chantal
C
Jalby
Jocelyne
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology