Effect of Shoes Reducing Varus Instability of the Knee on Gait Parameters, Knee Pain, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Females With Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
Hideki Nakano, Shin Murata, Yoshihiro KAI, Teppei Abiko, Dai Matsuo, Michio Kawaguchi, Takeshi Matsumoto, Yuji Yoshiura, Michihiro Sumi
Abstract
Observations: The effects of shoes reducing varus instability of the knee on gait parameters, knee pain, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis were investigated. Methods: Twelve patients with medial knee osteoarthritis wore shoes reducing varus instability of the knee. Results and Conclusions: Gait velocity, stride length, step length, knee pain, and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure scores significantly improved in the postintervention period compared with the pre- and postcontrol periods. Therefore, shoes reducing varus instability of the knee can effectively improve gait parameters, knee pain, and HRQOL in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.