Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Identification of Patterns of Foot and Ankle Pain in the Community: Cross-sectional Findings from the Clinical Assessment Study of the Foot

Chean, Chung Shen; Lingham, Aranghan; Rathod-Mistry, Trishna; Thomas, Martin J.; Marshall, Michelle; Menz, Hylton B.; Roddy, Edward

Authors

Chung Shen Chean

Aranghan Lingham

Trishna Rathod-Mistry

Hylton B. Menz



Abstract

Objectives: To investigate patterns of foot and ankle pain locations and symptoms, socio-demographic and comorbid characteristics to examine whether there are distinct foot and ankle pain phenotypes. Methods: Adults aged =50 years registered with four general practices in North Staffordshire were mailed a Health Survey questionnaire. Participants reporting foot pain in the last month indicated foot pain location on a foot manikin. Foot and ankle pain patterns were investigated by latent class analysis. Associations between the classes with foot pain symptoms, socio-demographic and comorbid characteristics were assessed. Results: 4455 participants with complete foot pain and manikin data were included in this analysis (mean age 65 years (SD 9.8), 49% male). Of those with foot and ankle pain (n=1356), 90% had pain in more than one region. Six distinct classes of foot and ankle pain were identified: no pain (71%); bilateral forefoot/midfoot pain (4%), bilateral hindfoot pain (5%), left forefoot/midfoot pain (8%), right forefoot/midfoot pain (5%) and bilateral widespread foot and ankle pain (6%). People with bilateral widespread foot and ankle pain were more likely to be female, obese, depressed, anxious, have/had a manual occupation, have comorbidities, lower SF-12 scores and greater foot-specific disability. Age did not differ between classes. Conclusions: Six distinct classes of foot and ankle pain locations were identified, and those with bilateral widespread foot and ankle pain had distinct characteristics. Further investigation of these individuals is required to determine if they have poorer outcomes over time and whether they would benefit from earlier identification and treatment.

Citation

Chean, C. S., Lingham, A., Rathod-Mistry, T., Thomas, M. J., Marshall, M., Menz, H. B., & Roddy, E. (2021). Identification of Patterns of Foot and Ankle Pain in the Community: Cross-sectional Findings from the Clinical Assessment Study of the Foot. Musculoskeletal Care, 19(1), https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1502

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 15, 2020
Online Publication Date Sep 30, 2020
Publication Date 2021-03
Journal Musculoskeletal Care
Print ISSN 1478-2189
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1502
Keywords Foot, Ankle, Pain, Phenotypes, Epidemiology
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/msc.1502