Articles

The changing landscape of professional practice in podiatry, lessons to be learned from other professions about the barriers to change – a narrative review

The delivery of healthcare is changing and aligned with this, the podiatry profession continues to change with evidence informed practice and extending roles. As change is now a constant, this gives clinicians...

Authors: Michael Harrison-Blount, Christopher Nester and Anita Williams

The use of urea for the treatment of onychomycosis: a systematic review

Onychomycosis, a fungal infection affecting the nail plate, is a common condition often requiring prolonged treatment regimens, with low success rates. Urea is one treatment option, which is thought to improve...

Authors: S. Dars, H. A. Banwell and L. Matricciani

Gender differences in attitudes and attributes of people using therapeutic shoes for diabetic foot complications

Therapeutic shoes can prevent diabetic foot reulcerations but their use is complicated by the fact that shoes have psychological and social meanings, which is believed to put a larger burden on women than men....

Authors: Gustav Jarl, John Alnemo, Roy Tranberg and Lars-Olov Lundqvist

Efficacy of heel lifts versus calf muscle eccentric exercise for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (the HEALTHY trial): study protocol for a randomised trial

Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal condition characterised by degeneration of the Achilles tendon, which causes pain and disability. Multiple non-surgical treatments have been advoca...

Authors: Chantel L. Rabusin, Hylton B. Menz, Jodie A. McClelland, Angela M. Evans, Karl B. Landorf, Peter Malliaras, Sean I. Docking and Shannon E. Munteanu

The lived experience of people with diabetes using off-the-shelf prescription footwear in Singapore: a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis

Diabetic foot ulceration (DFUs) is increasingly prevalent in Singapore. Appropriate management is important since DFU brings with it an associated risk for lower limb amputations, high morbidity rates and cost...

Authors: Sheena Tan, Hazel Horobin and Thanaporn Tunprasert

Management of musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions prior to public-sector orthopaedic referral in South Australia

Foot and ankle pain is common in the Australian adult population. People with musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions are often referred for surgical opinion, yet how patients are managed prior to referral i...

Authors: Tom P. Walsh, Linda R. Ferris, Nancy C. Cullen, Jared L. Bourke, Melissa J. Cooney, Chi K. Gooi, Christopher H. Brown and John B. Arnold

Where do we stand? The availability and efficacy of diabetes related foot health programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a systematic review

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Australians experience considerably higher rates of diabetes and diabetes related foot complications and amputations than non-Indigenous Australians. Therefore there is a need to...

Authors: Vivienne Chuter, Matthew West, Fiona Hawke and Angela Searle

Function of ankle ligaments for subtalar and talocrural joint stability during an inversion movement – an in vitro study

The lateral ankle ligament complex consisting of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) is known to provide stability against...

Authors: Lu Li, Albert Gollhofer, Heinz Lohrer, Nadja Dorn-Lange, Guiseppe Bonsignore and Dominic Gehring

“Come and live with my feet and you’ll understand” – a qualitative study exploring the experiences of retail footwear in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Foot pain and deformity are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous research has identified that women with RA seek retail footwear to alleviate their foot problems. The specific footwear fea...

Authors: Peta Ellen Tehan, Trish Morpeth, Anita Ellen Williams, Nicola Dalbeth and Keith Rome

Evaluation of a simple tool to assess the results of Ponseti treatment for use by clubfoot therapists: a diagnostic accuracy study

We aimed to develop and evaluate a tool for clubfoot therapists in low resource settings to assess the results of Ponseti treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus, or clubfoot, in children of walking age.

Authors: Tracey Smythe, Debra Mudariki, Maxman Gova, Allen Foster and Christopher Lavy

Description of the surgical technique for condylectomy with minimally invasive surgery to treat interdigital helomas on the lesser toes: a Delphi study

Descriptions of the techniques for condylectomies via minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to treat interdigital helomas of the lesser toes are scarce in the literature. This study aimed to define and describe thi...

Authors: Luis M. Marti-Martinez, Alba Gracia-Sánchez, Javier Ferrer-Torregrosa, Rubén Lorca-Gutierrez, Jonatan Garcia-Campos and Salvador Pedro Sánchez-Pérez

The effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for common plantar digital compressive neuropathy (Morton’s neuroma): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Morton’s neuroma (MN) is a compressive neuropathy of the common plantar digital nerve. It is a common compressive neuropathy often causing significant pain which limits footwear choices and weight bearing acti...

Authors: Barry G. Matthews, Sheree E. Hurn, Michael P. Harding, Rachel A. Henry and Robert S. Ware

Feasibility of designing, manufacturing and delivering 3D printed ankle-foot orthoses: a systematic review

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) are prescribed to manage difficulty walking due to foot drop, bony foot deformities and poor balance. Traditional AFOs are handmade using thermoplastic vacuum forming which provides l...

Authors: Elizabeth Wojciechowski, Angela Y. Chang, Daniel Balassone, Jacqueline Ford, Tegan L. Cheng, David Little, Manoj P. Menezes, Sean Hogan and Joshua Burns

An analysis of the foot in turnout using a dance specific 3D multi-segment foot model

Recent three-dimensional (3D) kinematic research has revealed foot abduction is the strongest predictor of standing functional and forced turnout postures. However, it is still unknown how the internal foot jo...

Authors: Sarah L. Carter, Alan R. Bryant and Luke S. Hopper

A cadaveric and sonographic study of the morphology of the tibialis anterior tendon – a proposal for a new classification

The tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) presents little morphological variation. The tibialis anterior muscle originates at the lateral condyle of the tibia, the proximal one-third to two-thirds of the lateral surf...

Authors: Łukasz Olewnik, Michał Podgórski, Michał Polguj and Mirosław Topol

Foot structure, pain and functional ability in people with gout in primary care: cross-sectional findings from the Clinical Assessment Study of the Foot

Gout frequently affects the foot yet relatively little is known about the effects of gout on foot structure, pain and functional ability. This study aimed to describe the impact of gout in a UK primary care po...

Authors: Helen R. Petty, Trishna Rathod-Mistry, Hylton B. Menz and Edward Roddy

Foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis: a survey of prescription habits among podiatrists

Guidelines recommend foot orthoses for people with both early (< 2 years) and established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While prefabricated foot orthoses are cheaper and can exhibit comparable effects to customis...

Authors: Lara S. Chapman, Anthony C. Redmond, Karl B. Landorf, Keith Rome, Anne-Maree Keenan, Robin Waxman, Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch, Heidi J. Siddle and Michael R. Backhouse

Validation of the Chinese Manchester foot pain and disability index (C-MFPDI) among patients with inflammatory arthritis

The Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) is a patient-reported outcome tool used to measure foot pain and foot-related disability. The English version of the MFPDI has been successfully translated...

Authors: Brina Xing Ying Erh, Hong-gu He, Kate Frances Carter, Peter P. Cheung, Daphne S. Tan, Wenru Wang and Keith Rome

Challenges of foot self-care in older people: a qualitative focus-group study

Foot health is an important aspect of general health, and it can be maintained and promoted through foot self-care. However, little is known about older people’s experiences of caring for their feet. The aim o...

Authors: Maija Miikkola, Tella Lantta, Riitta Suhonen and Minna Stolt

The podiatric surgery theatre environment in the UK; is it conducive to learning? A quantitative study using the surgical theatre educational environment measure (STEEM)

In 2015 the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) reported that annotation of the register for podiatric surgery would improve the way in which risks are currently managed. The academic institutions provi...

Authors: Thomas Austen and Simon Otter

Experience of finding footwear and factors contributing to footwear choice in people with gout: a mixed methods study using a web-based survey

Gout frequently affects the foot, particularly the first metatarsophalangeal joint. People with gout commonly wear ill-fitting footwear that lacks cushioning and support, which may further contribute to foot p...

Authors: Angela Brenton-Rule, Nicola Dalbeth, N. Lawrence Edwards and Keith Rome

A randomised controlled trial and cost-consequence analysis of traditional and digital foot orthoses supply chains in a National Health Service setting: application to feet at risk of diabetic plantar ulceration

Diabetic foot ulceration is a considerable cost to the NHS and foot orthotic provision is a core strategy for the management of the people with diabetes and a moderate to high risk of foot ulceration. The trad...

Authors: D. J. Parker, G. H. Nuttall, N. Bray, T. Hugill, A. Martinez-Santos, R. T. Edwards and C. Nester

Differences and mechanisms underpinning a change in the knee flexion moment while running in stability and neutral footwear among young females

Higher peak external knee flexion moments (KFM) during running has been observed in healthy people wearing athletic footwear compared to barefoot, which may increase risk of knee pathologies such as patellofem...

Authors: Timothy A. Sayer, Rana S. Hinman, Kade L. Paterson, Kim L. Bennell, Karine Fortin, J. Kasza and Adam L. Bryant

Foot and ankle characteristics and dynamic knee valgus in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis

Controlled laboratory study; cross-sectional design.

Authors: Narelle Wyndow, Natalie J. Collins, Bill Vicenzino, Kylie Tucker and Kay M. Crossley

A survey of foot orthoses prescription habits amongst podiatrists in the UK, Australia and New Zealand

Foot orthoses are frequently used but little is known about which types are used in contemporary practice. This study aimed to explore the types of foot orthoses currently used by podiatrists and the prescript...

Authors: Lara S. Chapman, Anthony C. Redmond, Karl B. Landorf, Keith Rome, Anne-Maree Keenan, Robin Waxman, Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch, Heidi J. Siddle and Michael R. Backhouse

How does a short period of exercise effect toe pressures and toe-brachial indices? A cross-sectional exploratory study

Whilst post exercise ankle-brachial indices (ABI) are commonly used to help identify peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the role of post exercise toe pressures (TP) or toe-brachial indices (TBI) is unclear. The a...

Authors: Peta Ellen Tehan, Sean George Sadler, Sean Michael Lanting and Vivienne Helaine Chuter

Validation of a weight bearing ankle equinus value in older adults with diabetes

Accurate measurement of ankle joint dorsiflexion is clinically important as a restriction has been linked to many foot and ankle pathologies, as well as increased ulcer risk and delayed ulcer healing in people...

Authors: A. Searle MOsteo, M. J. Spink and V. H. Chuter

Antibiotic prophylaxis in foot and ankle surgery: a systematic review of the literature

With the advent of bacterial resistance, it is important now more than ever to evaluate use of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis in foot and ankle surgery. Within this area of the body there may be less dissection, ...

Authors: Mr Ravi Krishān Modha, Chris Morriss-Roberts, Madeleine Smither, Jonathan Larholt and Ian Reilly

Reliability of a multi-segment foot model in a neutral cushioning shoe during treadmill walking

Detailed kinematics of the foot has been frequently reported on in the literature, specifically using various multi-segment foot models. It is important to identify the reliability of a multi-segment foot mode...

Authors: Megan E. R. Balsdon and Colin E. Dombroski

Physical and mechanical therapies for lower limb symptoms in children with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: a systematic review

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome are two common heritable genetic disorders of connective tissue. Both conditions are characterised by excessive joint range of motion and ...

Authors: Benjamin Peterson, Andrea Coda, Verity Pacey and Fiona Hawke

Welcome to the new editorial team

Authors: Keith Rome and Catherine Bowen

Distances from the deep plantar arch to the lesser metatarsals at risk during osteotomy: a fresh cadaveric study

The deep plantar arch is formed by anastomosis of the lateral and deep plantar arteries. Osteotomy of the lesser metatarsals is often used to treat metatarsalgia and forefoot deformity. Although it is known th...

Authors: Ichiro Tonogai, Fumio Hayashi, Yoshihiro Tsuruo and Koichi Sairyo

Prefabricated foot orthoses compared to a placebo intervention for the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Prefabricated foot orthoses are used to treat chronic nonspecific low back pain, however their effectiveness and potential mechanism of action is unclear. The primary aims of the study are to investigate the e...

Authors: Sean Sadler, Martin Spink, Samuel Cassidy and Vivienne Chuter

Effect of plano-valgus foot posture on midfoot kinematics during barefoot walking in an adolescent population

Plano-valgus is a common alteration of the paediatric foot, characterized by valgus hindfoot, foot pronation and drop of the medial longitudinal arch. Despite their importance in the diagnosis and classificati...

Authors: Paolo Caravaggi, Chiarella Sforza, Alberto Leardini, Nicola Portinaro and Artemisia Panou

Charcot neuroarthropathy patient education among podiatrists in Scotland: a modified Delphi approach

This evaluation sought to determine current Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) diabetes patient education practices among Scottish National Health Service (NHS) and academic podiatrists and evaluate novel visual to...

Authors: Benjamin Bullen, Matthew Young, Carla McArdle and Mairghread Ellis

Sex-related differences in coordination and variability among foot joints during running

Women, as compared with men, have a higher proportion of injuries in the ankle/foot region. However, the reason for this sex-related difference in foot injuries remains unclear. Recently, joint coordination an...

Authors: Tomoya Takabayashi, Mutsuaki Edama, Takuma Inai and Masayoshi Kubo

Special theme article: science and sociology of footwear

Authors: Anita Ellen Williams

Effect of high and low-supportive footwear on female tri-planar knee moments during single limb landing

Higher landing-related external knee joint moments at later stages of female pubertal development likely contribute to a higher incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Athletic footwe...

Authors: Timothy A. Sayer, Rana S. Hinman, Kade L. Paterson, Kim L. Bennell, Karine Fortin and Adam L. Bryant

Peroneal muscle activity during different types of walking

As the most common form of movement, walking happens not only on flat but also on uneven surfaces, where constant loss and regaining of balance occur. The main balancing function of the ankle joint is performe...

Authors: Rok Bavdek, Anže Zdolšek, Vojko Strojnik and Aleš Dolenec

Self-reported social and activity restrictions accompany local impairments in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a systematic review

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a painful, progressive tendinopathy that reportedly predominates in middle-age, overweight women. There is no evidence based guidelines that clinicians can use to ...

Authors: Megan H. Ross, Michelle Smith, Melanie L. Plinsinga and Bill Vicenzino

Foot pain and foot health in an educated population of adults: results from the Glasgow Caledonian University Alumni Foot Health Survey

Foot pain is common amongst the general population and impacts negatively on physical function and quality of life. Associations between personal health characteristics, lifestyle/behaviour factors and foot pa...

Authors: Gordon J. Hendry, Linda Fenocchi, Jim Woodburn and Martijn Steultjens

The inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Maestro and Barroco metatarsal length measurement techniques

The relationship between metatarsal length and various forefoot pathologies is a topic of contention in Orthopaedics. The results of such investigations have been shown to depend on the method of metatarsal le...

Authors: Zainab Ali, Hassan Karim, Navid Wali and Reza Naraghi

Entry points of nutrient arteries at risk during osteotomy of the lesser metatarsals: a fresh cadaveric study

Osteotomies of the lesser (second to fourth) metatarsals are often used to correct forefoot deformities. However, certain areas of the lesser metatarsals where arteries may be prone to damage during surgery, a...

Authors: Ichiro Tonogai, Fumio Hayashi, Yoshihiro Tsuruo and Koichi Sairyo

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research: the first ten years

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research (JFAR) was launched in July 2008 as the official research publication of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (UK) and the Australasian Podiatry Council, replacing bot...

Authors: Hylton B. Menz, Alan M. Borthwick and Catherine J. Bowen

A randomised cross over study to evaluate the performance of a novel ankle dorsiflexion measurement device for novice users

The ankle joint is a common site of musculoskeletal pathology. Measurement of its functional range of motion is a primary indicator for rehabilitation outcomes in therapy settings. The present study was design...

Authors: Peter R. Worsley, Caitlan Conington, Holly Stuart, Alice Patterson and Dan L. Bader

Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: a systematic search and narrative review of the literature

Correct footwear fitting is acknowledged as being vitally important, as incorrectly fitted footwear has been linked to foot pathology. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the prevalence of incorr...

Authors: Andrew K. Buldt and Hylton B. Menz

Being barefoot. Prevalence at home, in school and during sport: a cross-sectional survey of 714 New Zealand secondary school boys

It may be assumed that a combination of culture, climate and economic resource are the major reasons that non-industrialised countries have a higher prevalence of barefoot activity. New Zealand is an industria...

Authors: Peter Francis, Grant Schofield and Lisa Mackay

Effectiveness of a multicenter training programme to teach point-of-care vascular ultrasound for the detection of peripheral arterial disease in people with diabetes

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme to teach a focused bedside ultrasound scan (PAD-scan; Podiatry Ankle Duplex Scan) for the detection of arterial disease i...

Authors: Pasha Normahani, Rishi Agrawal, Vasilliki Bravis, Agnieszka Falinska, Linda Bloomfield, Zaheer Mehar, Dawn Gaulton, Alex Sangster, Tracey Arkle, Corinna Gomm, Mohamed Aslam, Nigel J. Standfield and Usman Jaffer

Implementing a podiatry prescribing mentoring program in a public health service: a cost-description study

In the management of diabetes and high-risk patients, timely treatment with scheduled medicines is critical to prevent severe infections and reduce the risk of lower extremity amputation. However, in Australia...

Authors: Anna G. Couch, Jonathan Foo, Alicia M. James, Stephen Maloney and Cylie M. Williams

Big issues for small feet: developmental, biomechanical and clinical narratives on children’s footwear

The effects of footwear on the development of children’s feet has been debated for many years and recent work from the developmental and biomechanical literature has challenged long-held views about footwear a...

Authors: Stewart C. Morrison, Carina Price, Juliet McClymont and Chris Nester