The use of specially padded hosiery in the painful rheumatoid foot

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the foot leads to foot deformity resulting in high forefoot pressures and pain. We have studied the potential of two types of specially padded hosiery (high and medium density padding) to provide pressure and pain relief in such patients. Foot pressures were measured in 18 patients with RA (mean age 56 years, range 30–71 years) using an optical pedobarograph. Pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Significant pressure reduction was found with the experimental hosiery (high density padding) compared to barefoot (10.8 ± 1.1 vs 15.9 ± 1.5 kg.cm −2, (mean ± SE); P < 0.001) but no difference existed between walking socks (medium density padding) and bare footsteps (12.4 ± 1.5 vs 14.1 ± 1.5; P = NS). Significant pain relief was reported in a 6-month cross-over trial of both types of hosiery, compared to their usual socks. We conclude that specially padded hosiery may be useful in providing pressure and pain relief in the painful rheumatoid foot.