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Do Rocker Bottom Shoes and Ankle-Foot Orthoses Reduce Pain and Improve Mobility for Ankle Osteoarthritis Patients

Not Applicable
Conditions
Ankle Osteoarthritis
Healthy Ankles
Interventions
Device: Rocker bottom shoe
Device: Ankle foot orthosis
Device: Standard walking shoe
Registration Number
NCT03524729
Lead Sponsor
VA Office of Research and Development
Brief Summary

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful, progressive condition that can severely limit physical activity and reduce quality of life. Rocker bottom (RB) shoes and ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly used as non-surgical treatments for ankle OA. RB shoes have a curved sole in the toe to heel direction that may alleviate joint pain by reducing ankle range of motion (ROM). Similarly, AFOs may reduce joint motion by securing the foot and ankle within the ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) frame. This study aims to determine the ability of RB shoes and AFOs to improve mobility, by relieving pain and reducing joint ROM.

Detailed Description

The investigators' objective is to compare two non-surgical treatments (RB shoes and Toeoff brand AFOs) in OA subjects by measuring their mobility and pain during and after a multi-week trial period. The investigators will use a biplane fluoroscopy system to measure foot joint motion for each condition (RB shoe, AFO, control shoe). This will yield clinical and biomechanical measures of the effect of each orthotic on mobility, pain, and joint ROM in an ankle OA population. The investigators will also compare the clinical and biomechanics outcomes of OA subjects to those of control subjects. This information will provide evidence to support clinical decision making.

Aim 1: Compare the daily sep count, self-selected walking speed, clinical outcome measures (PROMIS surveys) of a control shoe, RB shoe, and AFO worn over a multi-week trial period.

Aim 2: Evaluate the effect of a control shoe, RB shoe, and AFO on the foot and ankle joints range of motion.

Aim 3: Compare the ankle OA clinical and biomechanical outcome measures for the control shoe, RB shoe, and AFO to a healthy control group wearing control shoes.

The efficacy of conservative treatments such as RB shoes and AFOs for managing OA pain and discomfort is not well supported by clinical evidence. By using biplane fluoroscopy along with validated clinical measures of pain and mobility, this study will elucidate the mechanism by which RB shoes and AFOs biomechanically alter foot and ankle function. Identifying beneficial treatment strategies for people with ankle OA will help them regain their mobility and improve their quality of life.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
11
Inclusion Criteria

For osteoarthritis patients:

  • radiographic evidence of tibiotalar osteoarthritis
  • ambulatory

For healthy controls:

  • ambulatory
  • aged 18 or older
Read More
Exclusion Criteria

For osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls:

  • subtalar joint arthritis
  • plans for surgical treatment of ankle osteoarthritis within the next 4 months
  • surgical, neurological, metabolic, or lower limb musculoskeletal problem that would impair study measures
  • inability to walk unassisted during short, repeated walking trials
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • inadequate cognitive or language function to consent or to participate
  • no phone number or stable mailing address
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Ankle osteoarthritis patientsStandard walking shoeAmbulatory adult patients (18+) with ankle osteoarthritis.
Ankle osteoarthritis patientsRocker bottom shoeAmbulatory adult patients (18+) with ankle osteoarthritis.
Healthy control subjectsStandard walking shoeAmbulatory adults (18+) with no known ankle osteoarthritis.
Ankle osteoarthritis patientsAnkle foot orthosisAmbulatory adult patients (18+) with ankle osteoarthritis.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daily Step Count (# Steps)Three weeks

The daily step count of a participant as measured by a body worn pedometer.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ankle Joint Range of Motion (Degrees)Three weeks

Range of motion of the ankle joint in degrees as measured by biplane fluoroscopy and/ or CT scan

Self-selected Walking SpeedThree weeks

Self-selected walking speed as measured with a stop watch when walking a fixed distance.

Qualitative Assessment of Patient Device WearingThree weeks

Would you continue to wear the device if you were not part of the study? Why/why not?

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Functionthree weeks

Self reported capability of physical function Min: 0 Max: 100 A higher score indicates better physical function

Fast Walking SpeedThree weeks

Fast walking speed as measured with a stop watch when walking a fixed distance.

Timed-up-and-goThree weeks

Self-selected walking speed get out of a chair, walk to a line, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit down as measured with a stop watch.

Qualitative Assessment of Patient Satisfaction With the DeviceThree weeks

Do you like the device? Why/why not?

Qualitative Assessment of Device PreferenceThree Months

Do you have a preference to one of the treatments? Which one? Why/why not?

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interferencethree weeks

Self reported consequences of pain on relevant aspects of one's life.

Min:0 Max: 100 A higher score indicates more pain interference

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)three weeks

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Module questionnaire designed to assess foot and ankle conditions.

Min:0 Max: 100 Higher= better

Numeric Pain Rating Scalethree weeks

The Numeric Pain Rating Scale is a measure of pain intensity in adults in which the respondent selects a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of her / his pain. The scale will be administered verbally.

scale of 1-10 higher= worse

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

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