The Effects of Various Kinds of Lateral Wedge Insoles on Performance of Individuals with Knee Joint Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most incapacitating diseases affecting older population, which is associated with pain and functional limitation. Various kinds of conservative treatment have been used to decrease knee pain and to improve the quality of life of the subjects suffering from this disease. There are discrepancies in the clinical effects reported for the use of lateral wedge insole in spite of being used as one of the first conservative mechanical treatments for patients with medial compartments of knee OA. METHODS: A total of 36 subjects with medial knee compartment OA were recruited in this research project. Subjects were randomized into two groups to receive 3- and 7-mm lateral wedge insoles based on the date of birth of the participants. Some parameters such as severity of knee pain, Tibiofemoral angle (TFA), severity of OA, and quality of life were selected in this research project. RESULTS: The use of both 3-mm and 7-mm lateral wedge insole improves the quality of life and decreases knee joint pain. However, the effect of 7 mm lateral wedge insole was more than that of 3 mm. CONCLUSION: Using lateral wedge insole is a simple, inexpensive therapy for decreasing pain and improving quality of life; however, most research must be carried out to find the effects of lateral wedge on severity of knee joint OA and aligning TFA.