Different shoes, like stable supportive or unloading shoes, can impact knee biomechanics and potentially alleviate knee pain in osteoarthritis patients.
Footwear with arch support and cushioning is more effective for medial knee osteoarthritis compared to minimalist or flexible shoes, emphasizing the importance of heel height for knee joint health.
Deep dives
Understanding the Role of Footwear in Managing Knee Osteoarthritis
People with knee osteoarthritis may experience abnormal knee joint loading, leading to increased medial compartment loads. Research suggests that specific shoes, like stable supportive or unloading shoes, can affect biomechanics and potentially alleviate knee pain. However, clinical trials have shown mixed results in translating biomechanical benefits to pain reduction.
Effectiveness of Orthotics and Shoe Design in Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
Studies on shoe inserts, like lateral wedges, aimed at reducing medial knee forces have revealed biomechanical improvements but limited clinical benefits in pain reduction. Recent research indicates that stable, supportive shoes with arch support and cushioning are more effective than minimalist or flexible shoes for medial knee osteoarthritis.
Management Strategies for Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis
For patellofemoral osteoarthritis, supporting the arches of the foot with medial wedges or arch supports may help redistribute forces. However, limited research in this area calls for further investigation to provide evidence-based recommendations. Paying attention to heel height in footwear is crucial for knee joint health.
Considerations for Lateral Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis
Lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis research remains limited but indicates potential benefits from medial arch support shoes. However, conclusive evidence is lacking, highlighting the need for more trials to offer specific advice. Selection of stable, supportive shoes emphasizing medial support is advised for lateral knee osteoarthritis.
On this week’s episode of Joint Action, Prof Rana Hinman joins us to discuss how shoes or insoles can help with knee OA.
People with knee OA may experience abnormal knee joint loading – meaning that certain parts of their knees (for example, the inside or medial compartment) is loaded more, compared to the outside or lateral compartment. Biomechanical research has shown that some shoes can increase medial knee loads more than others and therefore, clinical guidelines commonly recommend “appropriate” footwear for knee OA. Many types of shoes exist including “stable, supportive shoes”, “flat flexible shoes” and “unloader” shoes. However, it remains unclear what shoes are appropriate for knee OA.
Professor Rana Hinman is a research physiotherapist and National Health & Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on clinical trials of non-drug non-surgical treatment strategies for osteoarthritis, in particular exercise, rehabilitation, and biomechanical interventions.