Foot orthoses in the management of chronic subtalar and talo crural joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background: This pilot study investigated whether semi-rigid and soft orthoses had an effect on pain, disability and functional limitation in participants with chronic rheumatoid hindfoot involvement.

Methods: Participants with chronic hindfoot pain were randomly assigned to 2 groups, commencing either with semi-rigid Subortholene orthoses or soft EVA orthoses. The Foot Function Index and the Ritchie Articular Index were administered pre- and post-intervention, which lasted for 3 months. Following a 2 week washout period, each group was switched over to the other type of orthoses.

Results: Nine female participants (mean age 52.2years (SD 9.1); mean weight 71kg (SD 12.64); mean height 160cm (SD 5.18)) with a mean RA duration of 11.7years (SD 7.83), and a mean ankle/subtalar joint pain duration of 5.7years (SD 2.62), completed the programme. Mean improvement in FFI score for both orthoses resulted in the same statistical significance (p=0.001). Statistically significant reduction in pain, disability and functional limitation was observed for both interventions, together with improvement in the Ritchie Articular Index score.

Conclusion: Both Subortholene and EVA orthoses significantly reduced pain, disability and functional limitations in participants with chronic ankle/subtalar joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: Chronic ankle arthritis; Foot Function Index; Foot orthoses; Hindfoot rheumatoid disease.