The effectiveness of a lateral wedge insole on knee pain, physical activity and joint loading in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis

Althebaity, Yasser

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal diseases causing knee pain, disability and reduced levels of activity. Medial compartment of the knee joint is commonly affected, nearly 10 times more frequently, than lateral compartment by the disease. Knee loading (i.e. External Knee Adduction Moment (EKAM)) is higher in individuals with medial knee OA compared with healthy subjects. Lateral wedge insoles (LWI) are designed to reduce the knee loading by altering the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) vector more laterally to be closer to the centre of the knee joint (still acting medially to the knee joint) and thereby reduces the moment arm to reduce EKAM and an improved clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of LWI on knee pain, level of physical of activity and EKAM in during walking. To accomplish the research, firstly, a reproducibility trial was conducted with individuals with medial knee OA to investigate the consistency of the instrument in producing the same results at different time points. In addition, to ensure that the differences between measurements at the end of the intervention are the effect of the intervention itself. Secondly, the main study was performed to identify any change or improvement in knee pain, level of activity and knee loading in twenty participants with medial knee OA after wearing LWI compared to baseline and comparator group during walking. Data were collected at three time-points; baseline, week one, and week six where an activPAL3 monitor was placed on participant’s thigh for 7 consecutive days to measure their activity level each time. There was no difference between the groups in the characteristics and primary outcomes at baseline. The results of this study have demonstrated a further understanding of LWI effectiveness where the group wearing LWIs demonstrated a reduction in EKAM and pain with improvement in physical activity. Individuals walked more, faster and for a longer time when wearing LWI for six weeks. Therefore, activity profiles of individuals during interventions give important information and it has been recommended to collect to complete the profile of the individuals. Future larger studies to find out the biomechanical, clinical (pain and level of activity) and radiological changes after wearing LWI is needed to determine whether progression of knee OA can be delayed.

Citation

Althebaity, Y. (in press). The effectiveness of a lateral wedge insole on knee pain, physical activity and joint loading in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Mar 19, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2018
• Additional Information: Funders : University of Salford;Saudi Government