David Kelly presenting a cheque for £1670 on behalf of the Charity

University podiatry expert takes part in foot pain research study

Dr Paul Beeson, Senior Lecturer from the University’s School of Health Podiatry division, is taking part in a collaborative research study on foot pain.

The two-year study, which is being carried out in partnership with Northampton General Hospital’s orthopaedic foot and ankle team, is concerned with pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1^st MTPJ).

Painful limitation of this joint is a highly prevalent condition and has a number of causes, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, gout, neuromuscular disorders, congenital defects, and failed joint operations.

The surgical procedure of choice is an arthrodesis, which removes pain, improves the alignment and cosmetic look of the toe, preserves the medial column and toe length, and ultimately the toe regains improved function and the patient their gait pattern.

This simple procedure also prevents further complications associated with the condition including secondary arthritis in other foot joints and may limit potential co-morbidities such as obesity, hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The prevention of these conditions would in turn provide cost savings to the NHS.

Dr Beeson is collaborating with hospital surgeons Mr Natarajan, Mr Northover and Miss Muthusamy and surgical care practitioner Mr Chadwick.

Their project is entitled ‘A prospective evaluation of the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis using the MOXFQ and SF-12’.

This study is different to previous research in that it is the first to prospectively, rather than a retrospectively, examine 1^st MTPJ pain and surgical arthrodesis.

The team will use a number of validated measures to evaluate outcomes for patients including the Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire and Short Form 12.

Funding of £1,670 was awarded to the team for the study by local pain charity ‘A Way With Pain’, with the University’s School of Health matching the amount.

David Kelly from the pain Charity ‘A Way With Pain’ is pictured presenting a cheque to Dr Paul Beeson.

[Left to right: Mr Julian Northover, Mr Rajan Natarajan, Mr David Kelly, Dr Paul Beeson, Mr John Chadwick, Miss Muthusamy].