Role of plain shoe insoles in the management of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis, which most commonly affects the medial compartment, is a chronic joint disorder that imposes a major healthcare burden. It imposes a significant economic burden and is associated with considerable pain, disability and loss of quality of life [1]. To date, most knee OA research has focused on tertiary management strategies, primarily drug therapies. Although effective, drug therapies have side effects and are expensive. As no cure exists, traditional management aims to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life while minimising the adverse effects of therapy [2]. There is a growing awareness of the importance of biomechanical factors in the pathogenesis and progression of knee osteoarthritis. However, there is controversial evidence regarding whether foot orthoses or knee braces improve pain and function or correct malalignment in selected patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the medial knee compartment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the whether the insoles would result in reduction of pain and improvement in WOMAC function scores in patients with established osteoarthritis.