Knee Brace and Biomechanical Footwear in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Effect of Unloader Knee Brace and Biomechanical Footwear Device on Symptoms and Physical Function in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients - a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigates the effects of unloader knee brace, biomechanical footwear device and exercise therapy on pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The aim is to find more effective treatment strategies to delay or prevent heavy knee replacement surgeries.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of exercising, and using a knee brace and exercising, and using of biomechanical footwear device on clinically important symptoms, physical function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The hypothesis is that the groups of using knee brace and biomechanical footwear can alleviate pain, improve physical function and quality of life more efficiently, than the group doing home exercises only. The subjects (n = 120) will be randomized into three groups mentioned above, after which they will start to do exercises, or to use a knee brace and do exercises, or to use biomechanical footwear at home according to the instructions for 4 months. Physical function, symptoms and quality of life will be measured before and after 4-month intervention. In addition, at 12-month time point follow-up surveys will be addressed with regard to symptoms and quality of life, as well as to cost-effectiveness of the study.

Visual Analog Scale for Pain (score of 100 mm). No pain (score of 0), worst imaginable pain (score of 100).

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)-questionnaire evaluates the condition of patients with knee osteoarthritis including pain, stiffness and physical function. In the subscale of pain (score range 0 - 500), stiffness (score range 0 - 200), and functional limitation (score range 0 - 1700) lower values represent a better outcome. In order to normalize each score on 0 - 100 scales, the following correction factors are used: pain 0.20, stiffness 0.50, functional limitation 0.059.

The SF-36-Item Health Survey measures Health-Related Quality of Life. The SF-36 is a multi-item scale assessing eight health concepts: 1) limitations in physical activities, 2) limitations in social activities, 3) limitations in usual role activities, 4) bodily pain, 5) general mental health, 6) limitations in usual role activities, 7) vitality, and 8) general health perceptions, with scores for each dimensions ranging from 0 (poor health) to 100 (good health).

Stride length, i.e., the distance between 2 successive placement of the same foot (cm) will be measured by the instrumented walkway system (GAITRite mat).

Step length, i.e., the distance measured from the heel point of one foot to the heel point of the other foot (cm) will be measured by the instrumented walkway system (GAITRite mat).

The time (sec) it takes to ascend and descend a flight of stairs. The total time to ascend and descend steps (negative number indicates better performance) will be recorded and reported

The maximum number of chair stand repetitions possible in a 30 second period. The total number of chair stands (up and down equals one stand) completed in 30 seconds will be reported.

The short form of International Physical Activity (IPAQ-SF) questionnaire measures data on Health-Related Physical Activity. The IPAQ-SF Records the activity of four intensity levels (vigorous-intensity, moderate-intensity, walking, sitting) for the last 7 days. Results are reported as a continuous variable (MET minutes a week). To calculate MET minutes a week the MET value given (walking = 3.3, moderate activity = 4, vigorous activity = 8) is multiplied by the minutes the activity was carried out and again by the number of days that the activity was undertaken. To get total MET minutes of physical activity a week, the MET minutes achieved in each category are added together. Higher MET-values represent better outcome.

Will be measured with the items of the SF-6D questionnaire, which in turn can be converted from the items of the SF-36 questionnaire. The SF-6D score varies from 0 to 1, 0 representing worst health cost-utility and 1 best health utility.

Inclusion Criteria: moderate or severe knee pain (>40mm on a VAS scale 0-100mm) radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1-3) age between 45 and 70 years Exclusion Criteria: inflammatory joint disease acute (<6 months) knee trauma arthroscopic surgery in the past six months a planned knee replacement surgery or other planned surgical treatment of the knee knee injections in the past 3 months superficial wounds at the knee area arterial insufficiency severe varicosities impaired vision postural difficulties body-mass index (BMI) >35kg/m2 fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis or other active rheumatoid inflammatory disease.