Foot Osteoarthritis: Addressing An Overlooked Global Public Health Problem

Foot pain affects at least one in three adults over the age of 45 (1), and one in six adults ≥50 years old with foot pain also have radiographic evidence of foot osteoarthritis (OA) (2). Unfortunately, our knowledge of foot OA and its burden substantially lags behind that of other joint sites (i.e., knee, hip, and hand). Given the link of foot pain and disorders with disability and reduced quality of life (3), a greater understanding is needed of foot OA and its pathogenesis and risk factors, especially since it is likely a serious disease with a significant public health burden.