Joint Ultrasound Evaluation of Asymptomatic Rheumatic Feet

Joint Ultrasound Evaluation of Asymptomatic Feet in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Controlled Study

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to compare ultrasound on asymptomatic feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and normal controls, determine the association between ultrasound and global disease activity, function and goniometric measures in patients with RA and determine the correlation between ultrasound and radiography in the detection of bone erosion.

Methods: The foot joints (talocrural, talocalcaneal, talonavicular, naviculocuneiform, calcaneocuboid, 5th tarsometatarsal and 1st to 5th metatarsophalangeal [MTP] joints) of 50 healthy subjects and 50 patients with RA (all with asymptomatic feet) were evaluated bilaterally regarding quantitative/semi-quantitative synovitis, semi-quantitative Power Doppler (PD) signals and erosion using ultrasound. Statistical significance was set to 5%.

Inclusion Criteria:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Group:

• RA with at least one year since diagnosis
• Asymptomatic feet
• Age between 18 and 65 years Control group
• absence of known osteoarticular disease

Exclusion Criteria for both groups:

• Peripheral venous insufficiency with retrograde venous flow and/or ochre dermatitis
• Previous surgical intervention and/or fracture in feet/ankles
• Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in previous three months in any of the joints evaluated
• Foot neuropathy
• Pain and swelling in feet or ankles