Australian Podiatrists' Strategies for Midfoot Arthritis

Midfoot arthritis is a widespread and debilitating issue. Yet, there are no clear guidelines for how to assess and treat it. A recent survey shed light on how podiatrists in Australia tackle this problem. The survey was sent out to podiatrists across the country. It asked about their usual methods for diagnosing and treating midfoot arthritis. The results showed a mix of approaches. The survey ran from November 2022 to July 2023. One hundred and three podiatrists took part. Most were experienced, with an average of 15 years in the field. The group was evenly split between men and women, with an average age of 40. When it came to diagnosis, physical assessments were the most common method. This included taking a patient's history and checking their musculoskeletal system. Medical imaging was also widely used. X-rays were the most popular choice, but other imaging methods were used too. Podiatrists also looked at associated issues. They checked the range of motion in the midfoot, analyzed gait, and tested muscle strength. They also observed the patient's static alignment, including their foot posture. Many also assessed comorbidities, body composition, and cognitive or psychosocial impairments. This shows that podiatrists take a holistic approach to midfoot arthritis. Treatment varied, but some methods were more popular than others. Footwear advice was the most common, followed by orthotic therapy and strapping or taping. Education and exercise therapy were also frequently used. However, expectations for treatment varied. One-third of podiatrists expected a satisfactory response within two months. If treatment wasn't effective, many would refer the patient to another healthcare practitioner for co-management. This could happen between two and three months into treatment. The survey showed that there's a wide range of approaches to assessing and managing midfoot arthritis. This could help in designing future studies. The goal would be to create valid assessment methods and effective interventions for this condition. It's clear that more research is needed to standardize these practices.