Footwear interventions for foot and ankle arthritis do make a difference says review of the evidence

Footwear interventions are associated with reductions in symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, says a review of the evidence published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.

A team looked at 11 studies that met strict criteria. The footwear interventions included cushioning and a wide toe box for rheumatoid arthritis; cushioning, midsole stability and a rocker-sole for gout; and a rocker-sole for first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

“Footwear interventions are associated with reductions in foot pain, impairment and disability in people with rheumatoid arthritis, improvements to foot pain, function and disability in people with gout and improvements to foot pain and function in people with first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis,” the research group explains. “Footwear interventions have been shown to reduce plantar pressure rheumatoid arthritis, gout and first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis and improve walking velocity in rheumatoid arthritis and gout.”

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