Comparison of the Effects of 3-Point Valgus Knee Support and Lateral Wedge Insoles in Medial Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis Publisher



Sattari S¹ ; Ashraf A² Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal Published:2011

Abstract

Background: Mechanical problems such as malalignments of the knee are one of the causes of osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). In medial compartment OA patients usually have a genu varum deformity and, therefore, the axial load of the body passes through the medial compartment. There are many opinions regarding the effect of lateral wedge insoles and 3-point valgus knee braces in the treatment of medial compartment knee OA. In this study, we compared the effect of lateral wedge insoles and 3-point knee supports in the treatment of medial compartment knee OA. Patients and Methods: We recruited 60 patients (35-65 years) with knee pain, genu varum, and moderate to severe medial compartment DJD and assigned them into 1 of 3 groups. The first group received a custom-molded 3-point valgus stress knee support. Lateral wedge insoles were supplied to the second group, and the third group served as controls. All groups were followed for 9 months for pain severity, walking distance, and radiologic changes. Results: Pain was reduced significantly in both lateral wedge and knee brace groups compared to the control group, but was more significantly reduced in the brace group. The walking distance was significantly longer only in the brace group. The knee brace had a more pronounced effect in patients with severe DJD in walking distance compared to moderate DJD, but not in the severity of experienced pain. Conclusions: The 3-point valgus knee support has a more significant effect on pain reduction, walking distance, and radiologic improvement, even reversing radiologic findings in patients with moderate to severe medial compartment DJD, compared to lateral wedge insoles.