title: Non-operative management of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction: design of a randomized clinical trial [NCT00279630].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common cause of foot pain and dysfunction in adults. Clinical observations strongly suggest that the condition is progressive. There are currently no controlled studies evaluating the effectiveness of exercise, orthoses, or orthoses and exercise on Stage I or IIA PTTD. Our study will explore the effectiveness of an eccentric versus concentric strengthening intervention to results obtained with the use of orthoses alone. Findings from this study will guide the development of more efficacious PTTD intervention programs and contribute to enhanced function and quality of life in persons with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper presents the rationale and design for a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment regime for the non-operative management of Stage I or IIA PTTD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have presented the rationale and design for an RCT evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment regimen for the non-operative management of Stage I or IIA PTTD. The results of this trial will be presented as soon as they are available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. kulig@usc.edu
authors.forename: Kornelia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kulig
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Pomrantz
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burnfield
authors.forename: Stephen F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Reischl
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mais-Requejo
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Thordarson
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D018579:Patient Selection; D037081:Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*