Overview:
Lateral wedge insoles (built up higher on the outside part of the insole) have been shown to reduce measures of loading at the knee, a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis worsening. These lateral wedge insoles have been implemented with or without custom-formed medial arch support. However, individual response to the insoles varies greatly, and thus far factors such as foot pain have not been considered.
Objectives:
1) To examine how different shoe-worn insoles affect knee and foot pain, as well as the loading patterns in the knee during walking, and 2) to develop methods to predict who may beneficially respond to different insole types.
Who can participate?
We are currently recruiting men and women aged 50 and above with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and foot pain. You may be eligible to participate in this study if you have evidence of OA via x-ray, a history of knee pain and foot pain over the last 6 months, and do not already wear shoe orthotic insoles. If you do not have recent x-ray images of your knees, you will be referred to a local imaging clinic to obtain these images to determine your study eligibility. You must be comfortable walking intermittently for 30 minutes without the help of a gait aid (e.g. cane, walker).
What is required?
This study will involve 3 visits total to our lab at UBC Hospital. The first appointment will include a gait screening and knee x-ray (if required) as well as a 3D foot scan. If the study eligibility criteria are met based on the screening appointment, a pair of custom shoe-worn insoles will be fabricated for you to wear during the 3-month intervention period. You will attend baseline and follow-up testing appointments before and after this intervention.
To register your interest in our study, please complete the eligibility form by clicking here.