The Foot and Lower EXtremity In (FLEXI) Hypermobility study.

A Leeds-based study into foot problems associated with Hypermobility Syndrome.

We know that many people with hypermobility syndrome have aches and pains in their feet. A new study being run by the Department of Rheumatology at the University of Leeds aims to explore the link between the position of the foot joints, and any aches and pains, and then to see whether the pains can be helped with insoles (orthoses) worn in the shoes.

The study, funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign, and led by podiatrist Anthony Redmond and Professor Howard Bird uses state of the art gait analysis equipment to explore the function of the legs and feet of people with hypermobility syndrome.

“It is very exciting to investigate this link” says Anthony, “we take for granted that any aches and pains are directly associated with the increased joint mobility seen in HMS, but this is the first time the link has been explored in detail.”

The clinical applications of the study are potentially far-reaching for the future care of people with HMS and foot problems. “We know that we can alter foot function mechanically, and we already use these sorts of treatments with the aim of reducing painful symptoms. It would be tremendously helpful to find out whether this approach is going to work predictably and systematically in people with HMS.”

People involved in the study are measured carefully in the Leeds clinic and then given one of two types of insole. They fill in a set of forms detailing their aches and pains - especially pains in the feet and ankles - and then receive a full analysis in the gait laboratory.

The analysis in the laboratory involves walking up and down while sophisticated instruments record the positions of the joints, and the complex timing of events that occur during walking.

“It is important to look at this information in people with mechanical problems like those seen in HMS ” says Anthony, “it has just been too difficult to do in the past. We are now able to use the same sort of technology as is used in the computer animation and video game industry, and it allows us to create much more sophisticated functional models than we could have dreamed of 10 years ago”.

At intervals over the next year participants fill in the pain forms three more times before coming back to the laboratory at the end of twelve months to check for any lasting effects. The study involves five visits to Leeds over the course of twelve months. The two gait lab appointments take approximately 45 minutes while the other appointments take no more than 10 minutes.

The study is recruiting patients in the North of England throughout the summer and Autumn of 2004.

If you have HMS and foot pain and would like to talk to the study team you can speak to Anthony, or to Heidi Davys the clinical coordinator for the FLEXI trial on 0113 343 4938 or visit their website. Alternatively you can contact them via email at either a.redmond@leeds.ac.uk or h.davys@leeds.ac.uk