title: A novel self-care biomechanical treatment for obese patients with knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of a novel biomechanical, home-based, gait training device on gait patterns of obese individuals with knee OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of 105 (32 males, 73 females) obese (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) subjects with knee OA who completed a 12-month program using a biomechanical gait training device and performing specified exercises. They underwent a computerized gait test to characterize spatiotemporal parameters, and completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. They were then fitted with biomechanical gait training devices and began a home-based exercise program. Gait patterns and clinical symptoms were assessed after 3 and 12 months of therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each gait parameter improved significantly at 3 months and more so at 12 months (P = 0.03 overall). Gait velocity increased by 11.8% and by 16.1%, respectively. Single limb support of the more symptomatic knee increased by 2.5% and by 3.6%, respectively. There was a significant reduction in pain, stiffness and functional limitation at 3 months (P < 0.001 for each) that further improved at 12 months. Pain decreased by 34.7% and by 45.7%, respectively. Functional limitation decreased by 35.0% and by 44.7%, respectively. Both the Physical and Mental Scales of the SF-36 increased significantly (P < 0.001) at 3 months and more so following 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese subjects with knee OA who complied with a home-based exercise program using a biomechanical gait training device demonstrated a significant improvement in gait patterns and clinical symptoms after 3 months, followed by an additional improvement after 12 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilay Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Omri
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lubovsky
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ganit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilay Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atoun
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilay Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: Yiftah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peled
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses; D005684:Gait; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: biomechanical device; function; gait; knee osteoarthritis; pain