Immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded insoles on pain, physical function, physical activity, and balance control in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded insoles on patients with knee osteoarthritis.


METHODS
Before-after trial, followed up for 6 months.


METHODS
Forty participants, mean age 61 years, who fulfilled the combined radiographic and clinical criteria for knee osteoarthritis, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology.


METHODS
Custom-moulded insoles with a 5º lateral wedge and arch support were prescribed. Immediate assessment was performed with and without the custom-moulded insoles, and follow-up assessments on pain, balance control, physical function, and physical activity were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months.


RESULTS
Significant medium-term effects were represented by reductions in pain (p = 0.003), improved physical functioning (p = 0.006), and decreased chair-rising time (p = 0.016) over the duration of the 6-month follow-up period. Significant immediate increases in physical activity scores for the 10-m normal-speed walking test (p = 0.007), stair-climbing test (p = 0.040), and chair-rising test (p = 0.030) were also observed in patients wearing the custom-moulded insoles, compared with tests performed without the insoles.


CONCLUSIONS
Using custom-moulded insoles provides medium-term pain reduction and improved physical functioning and physical activity, as well as immediate beneficial effects regarding physical activity.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shin Kong Wo Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. M001052@ms.skh.org.tw.
Ru-Lan
RL
Hsieh
Wen-Chung
WC
Lee
D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016138:Walking