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The effect of foot orthotics in treating ankle arthritis

About this research

Researchers are investigating the effect of foot orthotics and education added to people’s usual care of their ankle arthritis compared to their usual care alone.

Who can participate

You're eligible to participate if you:

  • have ankle arthritis, or
  • have ongoing ankle pain and do not know if you have ankle arthritis. We can assess you to determine if you have ankle arthritis.

What's involved

The study involves:

  • attending a free appointment with a physiotherapist for an assessment of your ankle
  • having a free X-ray of your ankle (if you have not had one previously)
  • completing 3 online surveys about how your ankle is feeling
  • attending 1–3 physiotherapy appointments for education about ankle arthritis and fitting of your foot orthotics (if you are in the foot orthotics and education group).

You'll be randomly allocated to one of the following study groups:

  • Foot orthotics and education - participants will receive foot orthotics that are fit into their usual footwear and education about their ankle arthritis from a physiotherapist.
  • Usual care - participants will continue to manage their ankle in their usual way.

Physiotherapy appointments can occur at a range of locations in Brisbane, including St Lucia, Carina, Arana Hills and Samford.

Benefits of participating

Participants will be given 2x $20 gift cards at different points of the study.

All assessments and treatments in this study are free.

How to participate

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you're interested in participating, register your interest.

Register your interest

Ethics, data collection and privacy

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No. 2021/HE002421].

Contact

For more information email Michelle Smith at m.smith5@uq.edu.au.