Effect of laterally wedged foot orthoses on rearfoot and hip mechanics in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of laterally wedged foot orthotic devices, used to treat knee osteoarthritis, on frontal plane mechanics at the rearfoot and hip during walking. Thirty individuals with diagnosed medial knee osteoarthritis were recruited for this study. Three dimensional kinematics and kinetics were recorded as the subjects walked in the laboratory at an intentional walking speed. Peak eversion, eversion excursion and peak eversion moment were increased while the peak knee adduction moment was reduced in the laterally wedged orthotic condition compared to the no wedge condition. In contrast, no changes were observed in the variables of interest at the hip. There was no significant relationship between the change in the peak frontal plane moment at the rearfoot and change in the peak frontal plane moment at the knee or hip as a result of the lateral wedge. Laterally wedged foot orthotic devices, used to treat knee osteoarthritis, do not influence hip mechanics. However, they do result in increased rearfoot eversion and inversion moment. Therefore, a full medical screen of the foot should occur before laterally wedged foot orthotic devices are prescribed as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis.