The effect of lateral wedge on osteoarthritis in medial compartment of knee

Knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most incapacitating diseases affecting older population، which is associated with pain and functional limitation. Its prevalence is significantly higher among women than men. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease usually involves medial intra-articular space. Various kinds of conservative treatment have been used in order to decrease knee pain and to improve the quality of life for subjects suffering from OA. Although one of the first conservative mechanical treatments is the use of laterally wedged insole، there are discrepancies regarding to clinical effects reported for the use of this method. Thirty six subjects with medial knee compartment osteoarthritis were recruited in this study. Participants were randomly classified into two groups to receive 3 and 7mm lateral wedge insoles. Pain and the quality of life were measured by WOMAC scale and radiologic method was used to record and calculate OA severity and tibiofemoral angle. The use of both 3 and 7mm lateral wedge insole significantly improved the quality of life and knee pain (P < 0. 5). There was no difference in OA severity before and after using the lateral wedge insole (P > 0. 5). Also، result showed 7mm laterally wedged insoles were more effective than 3mm in pain improvement (P < 0. 5). Using lateral wedge insole could be a simple and inexpensive method to decrease pain and correct tibiofemoral angle، and also، improve knee joint function.