title: A non-invasive, home-based biomechanical therapy for patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of a non-invasive, home-based biomechanical treatment program for patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with SONK, confirmed by MRI, participated in this retrospective analysis. Patients underwent a spatiotemporal gait analysis and completed the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Short-Form-36 (SF-36). Following an initial assessment, patients commenced the biomechanical treatment (AposTherapy). All patients were reassessed after 3 and 6 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in pain and improvement in function was seen after 3 months of therapy with additional improvement after 6 months of therapy. Pain was reduced by 53% and functional limitation reduced by 43%. Furthermore, a significant improvement was also found in the SF-36 subscales, including the summary of physical and mental scores. Significant improvements were found in most of the gait parameters including a 41% increase in gait velocity and a 22% increase in step length. Patients also demonstrated improvement in limb symmetry, especially by increasing the single limb support of the involved limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Applying this therapy allowed patients to be active, while walking more symmetrically and with less pain. With time, the natural course of the disease alongside the activity of the patients with the unique biomechanical device led to a significant reduction in pain and improved gait patterns. Therefore, we believe AposTherapy should be considered as a treatment option for patients with SONK.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Assaf Harofeh Medical Center Institutional Helsinki Committee Registry, 141/08; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00767780 .
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atoun
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, 1 Abba Even Blvd., 46733, Herzliya, Israel. researchdept10@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, 1 Abba Even Blvd., 46733, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ganit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grinberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Yeshaiau
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benedict
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
authors.forename: Nimrod
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rozen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: Yiftah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, 1 Abba Even Blvd., 46733, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Biomechanical treatment; Function; Pain; SONK