The Effects of Lateral Wedge Insole in the Management of Patients with Varus Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

Abstract

Although insufficient evidence supports the application of lateral wedge insole (LWI) as a non-operative treatment for medial/varus osteoarthritis of the knee joint, objective evaluation of its effects on pain, stiffness and functional disability is limited. The purpose of the study therefore was to determine the effect of LWI on the functional disability and symptoms resulting from the medial/varus osteoarthritis of the knee.
Fifty (50) out of 76 patients referred for physiotherapy with diagnosis of varus osteoarthritis of the knee joint participated in this study. The 50 subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 25 patients each. Group A (Experimental), were treated with thermal therapy, massage and LWI. Group B (Control), were treated with thermal therapy and massage only. The outcome measures included knee pain, knee stiffness and functional disability. These parameters were statistically analysed pre and post treatment.
Results established a significant difference (p<0.05) post treatment between the 2 groups for the outcome measures except knee stiffness. It can be inferred from the results that the therapeutic reduction in pain intensity and enhanced physical activities in group A compared with group B was induced by the LWI.
These results provide some insight into the functional effects of the LWI on pain, knee stiffness and functional disability of patients with medial osteoarthritis of the knee. This makes the LWI a useful treatment modality in the management of varus osteoarthritis/varum gonarthrosis.



Keywords: Lateral wedge insole, varus osteoarthritis, WOMAC index, Knee Pain and Stiffness, Functional disability.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 42-48