Exercise and Shoe Orthoses in Treatment of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is the most common cause of painful and debilitating acquired flatfoot deformity in adults. The dysfunction is often progressive and may result in attenuation of the PTT and eventually collapse of the plantar arch or even rupture of the tendon. Current therapeutic management of PTTD is multipronged and includes management with foot orthoses, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Evidence drawn from research related to the management of painful chronic Achilles tendinosis suggests that eccentric strengthening of the posterior tibialis may lead to superior results compared to concentric. The purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of treatment interventions used in the management of PTTD.

Detailed Description
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All study participants receive a pair of custom made orthoses and perform daily calf-stretches. In addition to the orthoses two groups will perform tibialis posterior specific exercises; one as concentric and the second as eccentric activation. Intervention will last 12 weeks.

Official Title
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Phase 1 Study on Effectiveness of Exercise on Function, Quality of Life and Disability in Patients With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Conditions
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Tendinopathy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Orthoses and Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Pain (> 3 months duration) Pain localized to the medial ankle and foot Swelling at the medial ankle Able to perform a single controlled heel lowering Exclusion Criteria: Bilateral posterior tibial tendon dysfunction Fixed foot deformities Previous foot surgery Presence of any other concurrent foot pathology besides posterior tibial tendon dysfunction Ability to walk only with assistive device Neurological disorders Cognitive dysfunction Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease Evidence of cord compression Uncontrolled hypertension Infection Severe respiratory disease Pregnancy Current or recent history of low back pain Known rheumatic joint disease Peripheral vascular disease with sensory loss of the foot.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: type of exericse<br>type of exercise | Procedure: Orthoses and Exercise<br>* orthrose and exercise - daily<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foot Function Index; SF-36; walking distance in 5 minutes; time walking 50-ft; pain following the functional tests |  | pre- post- 6-month post | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy