Immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded insoles on pain, physical function, physical activity, and balance control in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded insoles on patients with knee osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Before-after trial, followed up for 6 months.

SUBJECTS

Forty participants, mean age 61 years, who fulfilled the combined radiographic and clinical criteria for knee osteoarthritis, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology.

METHODS

Custom-moulded insoles with a 5º lateral wedge and arch support were prescribed. Immediate assessment was performed with and without the custom-moulded insoles, and follow-up assessments on pain, balance control, physical function, and physical activity were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

Significant medium-term effects were represented by reductions in pain (p = 0.003), improved physical functioning (p = 0.006), and decreased chair-rising time (p = 0.016) over the duration of the 6-month follow-up period. Significant immediate increases in physical activity scores for the 10-m normal-speed walking test (p = 0.007), stair-climbing test (p = 0.040), and chair-rising test (p = 0.030) were also observed in patients wearing the custom-moulded insoles, compared with tests performed without the insoles.

CONCLUSION

Using custom-moulded insoles provides medium-term pain reduction and improved physical functioning and physical activity, as well as immediate beneficial effects regarding physical activity.