Lateral Wedge Orthotic Footwear in Managing Knee Osteoarthritis: A Quantitative Analysis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent cause of pain and functional decline in the elderly. The condition progresses due to biomechanical factors, particularly affecting the medial compartment of the knee joint. Addressing these biomechanical alterations is essential for effective symptom management. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical and symptomatic effects of lateral wedging insoles in patients with medial compartment KOA by analyzing changes in specific radiological parameters and pain perception. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with medial compartment KOA, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and Grade II and III on Kellgren and Lawrence grading system, were enrolled. A pre- and post-intervention study design was used. Standing X-rays were taken to assess joint space width, condylar–plateau (CP) angle, hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle, tibial angle (TA), and femoral angle (FA). Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The intervention included the use of lateral wedge insoles in footwear. Results: Post-intervention analysis showed a significant reduction in CP and HKA angles immediately after wearing the lateral wedge insoles. Additionally, most patients reported reduction in pain scores on the VAS, indicating symptomatic improvement. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Lateral wedging in footwear leads to biomechanical changes at the knee joint and provides symptomatic relief in patients with medial compartment KOA. Hence, it may be considered an effective adjunct in the conservative management of KOA.