The Effect of Bracing and Strengthening Exercises on Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
- Sponsor
- Ithaca College
- Enrollment
- 39
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Foot Function Index(FFI)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 11 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a problem with the tendon connecting one of the lower leg muscles to the foot bone. PTTD can cause pain, swelling, and a flattened foot and may require surgery if left untreated. Normal treatment for PTTD includes physical therapy exercise. In treating similar conditions in the lower leg, exercises that are active, like strengthening, seem to have better results than exercises that are passive, like stretching. This study will determine whether adding strengthening exercises to a normal PTTD treatment that includes wearing a brace and stretching is more beneficial than just wearing a brace and stretching.
Detailed Description
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) involves inflammation, overstretching, or both of the posterial tibial tendon, which connects the tibialis posterior muscle to the bones in the foot. PTTD can cause pain in the inner ankle and development of a flat foot. Without treatment, correction of PTTD may require surgery. Standard interventions that may prevent the need for surgery include orthotic devices, bracing, and physical therapy, among other possibilities. Within physical therapy, foot exercises can be either active-as in the case of strengthening exercises-or passive-as in the case of stretching exercises. Evidence from clinical treatment of similar conditions suggests that active exercises are more effective than passive exercises in leading to recovery. This study will determine whether adding strengthening exercises to a normal intervention of bracing and stretching is more effective in improving a range of symptoms in stage II PTTD patients than using only bracing and stretching exercises. Participants with Stage II PTTD will be recruited and placed in one of two groups for the duration of the 12-week study. The first group will undergo regular bracing and perform stretching exercises. The second group will undergo regular bracing and perform stretching and strengthening exercises. Braces, worn during weight-bearing tasks throughout the study, will include ankle stirrup support and medial longitudinal arch support. Strengthening exercises, which will be preceded by a warm-up of the posterior tibialis muscle, will include bilateral heel raises, foot adduction and rear foot inversion with thera-tubing, and unilateral heel raises. Frequency of exercise and number of repetitions will increase over the course of the study until participants are performing 3 sets of 30 repetitions 2 times per day. Assessments, which will occur at study entry, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks, will include foot range of motion, length of the posterior tibial muscle, and self-assessments of function.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Diagnosis of Stage II PTTD disorder
- •Flexible flat foot deformity
- •Palpable tenderness of posterior tibial tendon
- •Swelling of the posterior tibial tendon sheath
- •Pain during single limb heel rise
- •Abnormal rear foot valgus
- •Abnormal fore foot abduction as compared to contralateral side
Exclusion Criteria
- •Unable to walk for more than 15 meters
- •Comorbidity within the foot
- •Loss of protective sensation of the foot, as indicated by Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test of 5.07
- •Inflammatory arthropathies
- •Score greater than 23 on Mini Mental Status exam
- •Arch index of less than 0.255
- •Inability to assume a subtalar neutral posture
- •PTTD in both feet
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Foot Function Index(FFI)
Time Frame: Measured at Weeks 1, 6, and 12
The Foot Function Index (FFI) is a validated disease specific questionnaire that has been used to document outcomes in uncontrolled studies of PTTD. The domains of the 23 item FFI questionnaire include pain, disability, and activity limitations. The scale was originally validated in subjects with foot problems related to rheumatoid arthritis patients, and has subsequently been used to measure outcomes for a variety of foot and ankle problems including plantar fasciitis, diabetes, and PTTD. In clinical trials, the FFI has been used to detect change attributable to orthotics, plantar fasciitis, and brace use in PTTD. The three domains of the FFI include pain (FFI-Pain) range 0 to 90, disability (FFI-Disability) range 0- 90, and activity limitations (FFI-Activity Limitations) range 0 to 50. Each category asks patients to rate items relative to pain with higher scores indicating greater pain. The average of the three scales is the FFI-Total.
Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment
Time Frame: Measured at Weeks 1, 6, and 12
The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire (SMFA) is a 46 item self-report questionnaire consisting of the Dysfunction Index, which has thirty-four items, and the Bother index which has 12 items. The Dysfunction index is used for assessment of patient perceptions of functional performance while the Bother index is used to assess patients' perceptions of the degree patients are bothered in broad areas such as recreation and leisure. The responsiveness to change of the SMFA is 10 points out a range of 100 for each scale (Dysfunction, Mobility, and Bother indexes). The SMFA is also particularly suitable for the current investigation due to the presence of a sub-category of questions from the Dysfunction Index that pertains specifically to mobility (i.e. Mobility Index). Lower scores (lowest = 0) indicate better function, mobility, and that patients are less bothered while higher scores (highest = 100) indicate worse function, mobility and that patients are bothered.
Secondary Outcomes
- Foot Kinematics and Posterior Tibial Muscle Length (Estimated From Foot Kinematics)(Measured at Weeks 1,6 and 12)
- Foot Strength(Measured at Weeks 1, 6, and 12)