Patients with knee osteoarthritis demonstrate improved gait pattern and reduced pain following a non-invasive biomechanical therapy: a prospective multi-centre study on Singaporean population

Avi Elbaz, Amit Mor, Ganit Segal, Yoav Aloni, Yee Hong Teo, Yee Sze Teo, Shamal Das-De, Seng Jin Yeo, Avi Elbaz, Amit Mor, Ganit Segal, Yoav Aloni, Yee Hong Teo, Yee Sze Teo, Shamal Das-De, Seng Jin Yeo

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown the effect of a unique therapy with a non-invasive biomechanical foot-worn device (AposTherapy) on Caucasian western population suffering from knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of this therapy on the level of symptoms and gait patterns in a multi-ethnic Singaporean population suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with bilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis participated in the study. All patients underwent a computerized gait test and completed two self-assessment questionnaires (WOMAC and SF-36). The biomechanical device was calibrated to each patient, and therapy commenced. Changes in gait patterns and self-assessment questionnaires were reassessed after 3 and 6 months of therapy.

Results: A significant improvement was seen in all of the gait parameters following 6 months of therapy. Specifically, gait velocity increased by 15.9%, step length increased by 10.3%, stance phase decreased by 5.9% and single limb support phase increased by 2.7%. In addition, pain, stiffness and functional limitation significantly decreased by 68.3%, 66.7% and 75.6%, respectively. SF-36 physical score and mental score also increased significantly following 6 months of therapy (46.1% and 22.4%, respectively) (P < 0.05 for all parameters).

Conclusions: Singaporean population with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis demonstrated improved gait patterns, reported alleviation in symptoms and improved function and quality of life following 6 months of therapy with a unique biomechanical device.

Trial registration: Registration number NCT01562652.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of assessment, enrolment and follow-up.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Apos System. (a) Biomechanical device comprising two individually calibrated elements and a foot-worn platform. The elements are attached to a platform under the hindfoot and forefoot regions. (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.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in WOMAC pain, stiffness and function following 6 months of therapy. The WOMAC questionnaire includes 24 questions in a VAS format (0 = no pain/stiffness/difficulty, 10 = severe pain/stiffness/difficulty).

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