Orthotics for First Metatarsophalangeal Osteoarthritis: Are we Asking the Wrong Question?
Thomas W. Wainwright · 2026
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Description
Thomas Wainwright asks whether research on shoe inserts for big toe joint arthritis is asking the wrong question. Reviews show average benefits too small to matter for the typical patient. Wainwright argues that averaging hides the real story: inserts reshape load at one specific joint, so effects should vary by person.
Some patients may gain a lot even when the average gain is near zero. He also notes a mismatch in guidelines, which stress exercise, though exercise can barely change load at this far joint. Drawing on hip arthritis work, he contrasts capacity building with load changing care. The commentary urges treatment matched to mechanism and to the individual.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Thomas W. Wainwright |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 12 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |