title: Effectiveness of Shoe Stiffening Inserts for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Proof-of-Concept Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of shoe stiffening inserts to reduce pain in first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one participants with first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis were prescribed shoe stiffening inserts and were evaluated at baseline and at 1 and 3 mos. The primary outcome measure was foot pain, assessed using the foot pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (possible score ranges from 0 to 100). Secondary outcome measures included foot-related disability (foot function domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire), self-reported treatment effectiveness, use of rescue medication and other co-interventions, and adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 and 3 mos, statistically significant improvements in foot pain and foot-related disability were observed (mean difference at 3 mos: foot pain = 18.8, 95% confidence interval, 13.3-24.3; foot function = 11.8, 95% confidence interval, 4.3-17.3). Treatment was reported to be effective by 78% of participants. Few participants (4%) reported using pain-relieving medication. Minor adverse events were reported by 30% of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Full-length shoe stiffening inserts may be an effective intervention in first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis. However, further controlled studies are required.
authors.affiliation: From the Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health (TXJ, HBM, GSM, SEM), and Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program, School of Allied Health (HBM, GSM, SEM), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Podiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore (TXJ).
authors.forename: Tan X
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Jerilyn
authors.forename: Hylton B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Menz
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Murley
authors.forename: Shannon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Munteanu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D057566:Self Report; D012775:Shoes; D016896:Treatment Outcome