Effects of Shoe-Stiffening Inserts on Lower Limb Kinematics in Individuals with First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis.

Carbon fibre shoe-stiffening inserts significantly alter sagittal plane lower limb joint kinematics during walking, particularly first MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms that may be responsible for their clinical effectiveness in the treatment of first MTP joint OA, and potentially explain changes in symptoms in other lower limb joints.