Free Paper Australian Podiatry Conference 2019

Efficacy of shoe-stiffening inserts for the treatment of first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: preliminary findings from the SIMPLE randomised controlled trial (#19)

Shannon E Munteanu 1 2 , Karl B Landorf 1 2 , Jodie A McClelland 2 3 , Edward Roddy 4 , Flavia M Cicuttini 5 , Alan Shiell 6 , Maria Auhl 1 2 , Jamie J Allan 1 2 , Andrew K Buldt 1 2 , Hylton B Menz 1 2
  1. Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute for Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
  5. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Background

The purpose of this trial was to assess the efficacy of shoe-stiffening inserts for reducing pain associated with first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

One hundred participants (45 men 55 women, mean age 57.5, SD 10.3 years) with first MTPJ OA were randomised to receive either: (i) full-length carbon fibre shoe-stiffening inserts plus rehabilitation therapy (intervention group) or (ii) sham shoe inserts plus rehabilitation therapy (control group). The primary outcome measure was the foot pain domain of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) assessed at 12 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included the function domain of the FHSQ, severity of first MTPJ pain, general health status, use of rescue medication and co-interventions, adverse events, physical activity levels and global change in symptoms (with ‘moderately better’ or above being considered a successful outcome). FHSQ and global change in symptoms at 12 weeks are presented here. Multiple imputation was used to replace missing data. FHSQ pain scores were analysed using analysis of covariance with the intervention group and baseline scores entered as independent variables, and global change in symptoms was analysed using absolute and relative benefit, and number needed to treat.

Results

Data were available for 91 participants at week 4 and 85 participants at week 12. FHSQ pain scores improved in both groups. There was a statistically significant difference in FHSQ pain scores between the groups at 12 weeks (adjusted mean difference 7.4 points, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3 to 13.5, p=0.018) in favour of intervention group. Participants in the intervention group were also more likely to report that their pain was at least moderately better (successful treatment) at 12 weeks compared to the control group (61 versus 34%; absolute benefit increase 27% [95% CI 6 to 45], relative benefit increase 79% [95% CI 11 to 189]). The number needed to treat was 4 (95% CI 2 to 18).

Discussion and Clinical Relevance

Carbon fibre shoe stiffening inserts are effective at reducing pain in people with first MTPJ OA.