Shajahan Cheruputhoor, Sreejith Kalathummarath, Shehadad Kammili, Sreedevi Menon P
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of pain and disability in older adults. Knee osteoarthritis has the greatest impact on disability. There are several treatments to manage varus knee deformity. For moderate or severe varus OA, surgical treatment, such as high tibial osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been performed. Alternatives to surgical treatment are required to lighten the patient’s burden and the medical costs. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of lateral wedge heel raise with subtalar strapping on joint loading, pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis of medial tibiofemoral compartment. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cohort study over a period of one year in 29 patients with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis who were prescribed with lateral wedge heel raise and subtalar strapping are studied for changes in the Knee Adduction Moment by 3-dimensional gait analysis. Also, the changes in WOMAC score and VAS score are studied. RESULTS Lateral wedge heel raise and subtalar strapping is an effective biomechanical intervention in the management of osteoarthritis of medial tibiofemoral compartment. It showed a significant decrease in the Knee Adduction Moment, which is a valid indicator of medial compartment joint loading. The use of lateral wedge heel raise and subtalar strapping also showed significant decrease in Womac and VAS score. So, a symptomatic improvement in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis can be ensured with the use of this simple and cheap orthotic intervention. CONCLUSION The lateral wedge heel raise and subtalar strapping is a very effective orthotic intervention in patients with medial tibio femoral osteo arthritis.
