Improving Outcomes For Older People With Musculoskeletal Foot Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
Foot pain affects one in four older Australians and leads to difficulty walking, loss of independence and reduced quality of life. The research outlined in this application will address this common but largely ignored health problem by improving our knowledge of the causes of foot pain, developing novel treatments for foot disorders incorporating specialised exercises, footwear and insoles, and testing the effectiveness of these interventions in clinical trials.
Defining Treatment Targets To Optimise The Management Of Early Midfoot Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of foot pain and responsible for significant pain and disability. This project will investigate the early structural and functional changes in the midfoot joints and determine the relationships between foot joint loading, structural changes, symptoms and functional impairment. This will identify modifiable factors involved in midfoot OA and define treatment targets to inform the development of effective interventions.
As part of this fellowship, A/Prof Hylton Menz will undertake a comprehensive program of research to improve the health-related quality of life of older people with foot disorders. The research will help further our understanding of the causes and impact of foot disorders, assist in the development of new treatments, and evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments through the conduct of clinical trials.
Can Shoe Inserts Reduce The Burden Of Kneecap Osteoarthritis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,550.00
Summary
Kneecap arthritis is a leading cause of pain, disability and health expenditure in the Australian community. ‘Off-the-shelf’ shoe inserts are simple, low-cost devices that can reduce kneecap pain in young adults, and are accessible to all Australians. This project investigates whether ‘off-the-shelf’ shoe inserts improve pain in older adults with kneecap arthritis over 12 months, and evaluates the relationship between cost and patient benefits.
An Innovative Treatment For First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,398.00
Summary
Arthritis of the big toe joint is a common, disabling and costly problem in many Australians, but few effective treatments are available. This project will determine whether a combination of exercises and wearing a special inexpensive insert that stiffens the shoe (shoe stiffening insert) is more effective in treating this condition than exercises alone.