Improvement in Knee Loading After Use of Specialized Footwear for Knee Osteoarthritis: Results of a Six-Month Pilot Investigation

Introduction: Alteration of foot posture may influence the knee loading, particularly in medial compartment. The purpose of this study was to find the relation of foot postures with clinical finding in medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods: Subjects with medial KOA who met inclusion criteria were recruited consecutively, in Nursing home on August to October 2018. The foot posture has determined by Foot Posture Index (FPI). The severity of KOA has measured by Kelgreen-Lawrence (KL) grading system, and pain level using numeric rating score (NRS).Results: There were 37 subjects consisted of male and female with normal foot subsequently 17(8.5%) and 3(15%), male and female with abnormal food subsequently 3(15%) and 1(16%). There were 12 (32.43%) of pronated foot, 5 (13.51%) of supinated foot, and 20 (54.06%) of normal foot subjects. The subjects with abnormal foot posture have severe medial KOA (p<0.001), while the pain sensation similar between groups (p=0.321, p=0.688).Conclusion: There was a correlation between foot posture and the severity of medial KOA.Keywords: Foot posture, Knee osteoarthritis, Foot posture index, Numeric rating score

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Sensor-Based Gait Retraining Lowers Knee Adduction Moment and Improves Symptoms in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21165596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (16) ◽

pp. 5596

Author(s):

Sizhong Wang ◽

Peter P. K. Chan ◽

Ben M. F. Lam ◽

Zoe Y. S. Chan ◽

Janet H. W. Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pain Scale ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Knee Adduction Moment ◽

Gait Retraining ◽

Medial Knee ◽

Knee Oa ◽

Knee Loading ◽

Walking Exercise

The present study compared the effect between walking exercise and a newly developed sensor-based gait retraining on the peaks of knee adduction moment (KAM), knee adduction angular impulse (KAAI), knee flexion moment (KFM) and symptoms and functions in patients with early medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). Eligible participants (n = 71) with early medial knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade I or II) were randomized to either walking exercise or gait retraining group. Knee loading-related parameters including KAM, KAAI and KFM were measured before and after 6-week gait retraining. We also examined clinical outcomes including visual analog pain scale (VASP) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at each time point. After gait retraining, KAM1 and VASP were significantly reduced (both Ps < 0.001) and KOOS significantly improved (p = 0.004) in the gait retraining group, while these parameters remained similar in the walking exercise group (Ps ≥ 0.448). However, KAM2, KAAI and KFM did not change in both groups across time (Ps ≥ 0.120). A six-week sensor-based gait retraining, compared with walking exercise, was an effective intervention to lower medial knee loading, relieve knee pain and improve symptoms for patients with early medial knee OA.

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