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 5° 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.Journal Compilation