Effects of Foot Orthosis Uesd for Rheumatoid Arthritic Patients on Foot Pressure

Foot pressures in RA patients during gait were measured, and the biomechanical effects of the foot orthoses for RA patients were evaluated.Twelve female RA patients who had food pain during gait were examined, and eight healthy female subjects were matched for age and weight. The foot pressures during gait were measured using the F-Scan program. The Kistler force plate was employed for accuracy. Peak pressure distributions and loading forces were measured, and the effects of the foot orthosis were evaluated.The foot pressures were significantly lower with orthoses than those without orthoses both in the RA and the control groups. Redistribution of the planter pressure was found and the pressures under the forefoot and the hindfoot were reduced with the orthoses. However, the pressures under the midfoot were found to increase with the orthoses.We conclude that significant pressure relief and redistribution are achieved by the specially designed foot orthosis, and the RA patients' suffering from foot pain during walking can be significantly alleviated when they walked with the orthoses. This type of orthosis may play an important role in treating RA patients with foot pain.