A unique foot-worn device for patients with degenerative meniscal tear

Avi Elbaz, Yiftah Beer, Ehud Rath, Guy Morag, Ganit Segal, Eytan M Debbi, Daniel Wasser, Amit Mor, Ronen Debi, Avi Elbaz, Yiftah Beer, Ehud Rath, Guy Morag, Ganit Segal, Eytan M Debbi, Daniel Wasser, Amit Mor, Ronen Debi

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of a new foot-worn device on the gait, physical function and pain in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) who had a low-impact injury to the medial meniscus causing a degenerative meniscal tear.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 34 patients with knee OA and a degenerative medial meniscal tear was performed. Patients underwent a gait evaluation, using an electronic walkway mat, and completed the SF-36 health survey and the WOMAC questionnaire at baseline and after 3 and 12 months of therapy. AposTherapy is a functional, biomechanical, non-invasive rehabilitation therapy consisting of a foot-worn device that is individually calibrated to each patient and is used during activities of daily living. Repeated-measures analyses were performed to compare gait parameters and self-evaluation questionnaires between baseline, and 3 and 12 months.

Results: Significant improvements were found in gait velocity, step length and single-limb support of the involved knee following 12 weeks of therapy (all p < 0.01), alongside an improvement in limb symmetry. These results were maintained at the 12-month follow-up examination. Significant improvements were also found in all three domains of the WOMAC index (pain, stiffness and physical function) and in the SF-36 Physical Health Scale and the SF-36 Mental Health Scale (all p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Patients with knee OA and a degenerative medial meniscal tear using a biomechanical foot-worn device for a year showed improvement in gait, physical function and pain. Based on the findings of this study, it can be postulated that this biomechanical device might have a positive effect on this population.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00767780.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Apos biomechanical system. a Biomechanical device comprising two individually calibrated elements and a foot-worn platform. The elements are attached to under the hindfoot and forefoot regions of the platform. b The biomechanical elements are available in different degrees of convexity and resilience. c The specially designed sole of the platform includes two mounting rails and a positioning matrix to enable flexible positioning of each biomechanical element
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
WOMAC-pain changes following 12 months of therapy in women and men. Women had significantly higher levels of pain compared to men at all time points. Both women and men reported significant reduction in pain following 12 months of therapy
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
WOMAC-function changes following 12 months of therapy in women and men. Women had significantly higher levels of functional limitation compared to men at all time points. Both women and men reported significant improvement in function following 12 months of therapy

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