To assess the clinical usefulness of a prototype walkmat system in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Twenty-four subjects with early RA and symptomatic forefoot disease requiring therapy with second-line drugs were recruited.
Each subject underwent clinical assessment together with gait analysis on the contact sensitive walkmat system and Kistler forceplate before and after six months of treatment with second-line drugs. Two subjects were lost to follow-up.
There was the expected improvement in disease activity in response to therapy. Significant differences were also demonstrated in defined gait parameters that indicated improved weight-bearing and enhanced forefoot propulsion.
Medical therapy improved walking ability in patients with RA and the walkmat system provided a useful adjunct to existing outcome measures in the assessment of lower limb function.