RESEARCH - Reducing plantar pressure in RA: a comparison of running versus off-the-shelf orthopedic footwear

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Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2007 Oct;22(8):917-23. Epub 2007 Jun 19.

Reducing plantar pressure in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison of

running versus off-the-shelf orthopaedic footwear.

Hennessy K, Burns J, Penkala S.

Podiatry Program, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, The

University of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia

BACKGROUND: Foot pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is common

and can be associated with excessive forefoot plantar pressure

loading. Running and off-the-shelf orthopaedic footwear are commonly

recommended to manage foot pain and discomfort in these patients. The

aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of running footwear as an

alternative to off-the-shelf orthopaedic footwear on plantar pressure

loading characteristics in people with forefoot pain associated with

rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Twenty participants diagnosed with

rheumatoid arthritis reporting chronic forefoot pain participated in

this experimental, randomised, single-blind, cross-over trial of three

footwear conditions: control, running and off-the-shelf orthopaedic.

Outcome measures included measurement of peak pressure and

pressure-time integral, with an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement

system, beneath the total foot, forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot.

Furthermore, perceived comfort and footwear acceptability were

determined for each footwear condition. FINDINGS: Compared to the

control footwear, forefoot peak pressures were reduced by 36% in the

running footwear and by 20% in the orthopaedic footwear, compared to

the control (P<0.001). Forefoot pressure-time integrals were reduced

by 33% in the running footwear and by 23% in the orthopaedic footwear

(P<0.001). The largest reductions were achieved with the running

footwear across the whole plantar surface of the foot. Perceived

comfort did not differ between running and orthopaedic footwear,

although both were significantly more comfortable than the control

footwear. Overall, more participants nominated the running footwear as

the most acceptable footwear condition.

INTERPRETATION: The results of this preliminary study show that

running footwear was most effective at reducing plantar pressure

loading and was regarded as a comfortable and acceptable footwear

alternative by participants with forefoot pain associated with

rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID: 17582663

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17582663

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Not an MD

[Guest guest]

> INTERPRETATION: The results of this preliminary study show that

> running footwear was most effective at reducing plantar pressure

> loading and was regarded as a comfortable and acceptable footwear

> alternative by participants with forefoot pain associated with

> rheumatoid arthritis.

That is interesting to read because that is exactly what I have found

that the running shoes are better than the walking shoes. Even though

most doctors had recommended the walking shoes for me for maximum

support.