Gait Modification to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis

By changing pathological joint mechanics, gait modification may have disease modifying potential for medial compartment knee OA. The most effective gait modification methods may well be a combination of an assisted modification and a learned modification taught via a real-time feedback system—for example, variable stiffness shoes with medial thrust gait. Addition of other holistic elements such as strength or flexibility training may be valuable as well. Determination of the best target quantity will be critical for gait modification to make a positive clinical impact.