The effects of lateral wedge insoles on primary knee osteoarthritis patients

Background Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative joint disease. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common disability due to pain and dysfunction; it typically affects the medial tibiofemoral joint compartment. Objectives The use of orthosis as lateral wedge insoles (LWIs) helps in the reduction of symptoms and improvement of function and can reduce many of the biomechanical risk factors for disease development in osteoarthritis patients. Aim The study aimed to determine the possible mechanical and clinical effects of the different LWIs to assess their role in the management of the medial compartment KOA. Method The study included 48 knees divided into three groups, group A received only conventional physiotherapy, group B received LWI and group C received subtalar strapped (STS) LWI for 4 months. Results The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index score showed high significance, P value less than 0.001, for most subscales, femorotibial angle and plantar pressure peaks at the five metatarsal areas (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), midfoot, medial heel and lateral heel areas, and center of pressure showed high significance, P value less than 0.001 for both insoles. Conclusion The positive outcomes suggested that LWI and STSLWI insert are viable alternatives in the conservative management of patients with medial KOA. The use of LWI and STSLWI helps to prevent the progression of medial KOA if used. In early grades of medial KOA as grades 2 and 3. The results not only suggested clinically symptomatic improvement with an inexpensive conservative therapy, but also a less complicated comfortable orthosis of alignment benefit to KOA.