FRI0618-HPR The Short-Time Effects of Kinesiotaping on Hallux Valgus Degree, Pain Intensity and Plantar Pressure Distribution in Rheumatoid Foot: A Pilot Study

Background Hallux valgus is one of the most common deformities of rheumatoid arthritis. 1 The foot deformities as hallux valgus that causes consequent antalgic gait often result in unusual forces on bones and soft tissues of the plantar surface. 2 Accordingly, elevated plantar pressures while walking are thought to cause mechanical damage to the rheumatoid foot. 3 A recent study showed that 10-day kinesiotape implementation improved the pain and joint alignment in patients with hallux valgus. 4 There is no study that investigates the implementation effects of kinesiotaping in rheumatoid foot. Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesiotaping on hallux valgus angle, pain intensity and plantar pressure distribution in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A total of 6 rheumatoid arthritis patients (age:50.00±10.71 years, HAQ: 18.66±3.82) diagnosed with hallux valgus in total of 12 feet were recruited in our study.A toe goniometer was used to determine the angle of hallux valgus, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment, Foot Posture Index (FPI) was used to determine foot posture and Emed-50/D pedobarographic system was used to analyze peak pressure under 10 foot regions. Kinesiotaping was implemented after the first assessment and renewed in days 3 and 7 by a qualified physiotherapist with 5-year experience. After the big toe was aligned to its estimated correct with a moderate to high tension, first Y-shaped kinesiotape was implemented through the first ray. The second Y-shaped tape was placed over metatarsophalangeal joints with a mechanical correction technique on hallux. 4 The evaluations were renewed in days 3, 7, and 10. Friedman test was used to compare to differences among repeated assessments. Results All of the feet were determined as normal foot posture according to FPI. There was a significant reduction in hallux valgus angle (χ 2 =27.94, p 0,05). Conclusions Pain and hallux valgus angle were decreased after a 10-day kinesiotape implementation in patients with RA. Our results of plantar pressure distribution couldn9t show statistically change which might arise by low number of patients. Further studies should be carried out by increasing the number of cases in the future. Also radiographic changes of foot should be investigated in long term. References Louwerens JWK, JC Schrier Rheumatoid forefoot deformity: pathophysiology, evaluation and operative treatment options. Int Orthop, 2013. 37(9).2- Tuna H et al. Pedobarography and its relation to radiologic erosion scores in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int, 2005. 26(1)3-Schmiegel A et al. Assessment of foot impairment in rheumatoid arthritis patients by dynamic pedobarography. Gait Posture, 2008. 27(1).4-Karabicak GO et al. Short-term effects of kinesiotaping on pain and joint alignment in conservative treatment of hallux valgus. See comment in PubMed Commons belowJ Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2015 Oct;38(8). Disclosure of Interest None declared