A Comparison of Gait Function and Regionalized Foot Pressure According to the Primary Symptomatic Foot Area of Patients with Rheumatoid Foot

[Purpose] The distribution of force on the foot changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to compensate for foot pain. [Subjects] We recruited patients with an RA diagnosis. Subjects were grouped according to the primary symptomatic foot area, the presence of forefoot pain (F group: n = 29) and hindfoot pain (H group: n = 25). [Methods] Disease duration, degree of pain and number of joint erosions were recorded. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured using a gait analysis system. In addition, plantar pressure parameters (pressure time integral (PTI) and average velocity of center of pressure (COP) (VCOPave)) were measured using a pressure platform. [Results] There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of disease duration, pain and spatiotemporal variable values, with the exception of stride length. The PTI of RA patients in the F group was significantly higher in the 1st similar to 4th metatarsal area and significantly lower in the midfoot. VCOPave for the F group was significantly faster in the midfoot and significantly slower in the metatarsal area compared to the H group. [Conclusion] PTI in the midfoot or metatarsal area of RA patients increases even in the context of decreased COP velocity.