title: Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, CHU de Rouen, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 76031 Rouen, France. othmane.mejjad@chu-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Othmane
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mejjad
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vittecoq
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pouplin
authors.forename: Léocadie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grassin-Delyle
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Le Loët
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure