Modified walking shoes for knee osteoarthritis : mechanisms for reductions in the knee adduction moment

The objective of this study was to examine mechanisms underpinning the reduction in knee adduction moment (KAM) and changes in frontal plane knee-ground reaction force (GRF) lever arm with a modified shoe that incorporates both a variable-stiffness sole and lateral wedging. Thirty individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and 30 overweight asymptomatic individuals underwent gait analyses wearing modified and standard shoes. In both groups, there was a decrease in the lever arm (p<0.001), and a lateral shift in the center of pressure (COP) offset (p