| Objective: To investigate the biomechanics changes at lower limb joints of patients with early stage medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) wearing different types of lateral wedges during walking, and to define which type of lateral wedge is potentially more suitable in the treatment of the medial compartment knee OA. Method: Thirty patients with early stage medial compartment knee OA were enrolled. Both kinematics and temporal parameters were examined by Vicon 612 3-Dimensional gait analysis system and the kinetics changes were tested by two Kislter force platforms at the same time under three conditions: a custom-made traditional lateral wedge of 5° (with standard shoes), a custom-made arch supported lateral wedges of 5° (with standard shoes), control condition (standard shoes only). Results: Both two types of lateral wedges showed significantly decreased knee joints loading (knee adduction moment and knee adduction angular impulse) (P<0.05). The decreased loading on OA knees in traditional wedges condition was associated with an increased ankle valgus degrees, moment and medial group reaction force when compared to the control and arch supported conditions (P<0.05), and the arch supported lateral wedges showed an increased foot progression angles (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that under dynamic condition, both two wedges showed decreased loading in the medial compartment at knees, and the arch supported wedges were found to be more comfortable and did not cause high loading in the ankle. |
