A Small Change in Walking Offers Hope for Arthritic Knees
For people living with knee osteoarthritis, a more comfortable walk may begin with a slight change in where their toes point.
In a year-long study, researchers found that tailoring each person’s foot angle while walking eased knee pain and was associated with less cartilage deterioration than a comparison treatment. The findings offer an encouraging possibility for people seeking relief without relying solely on medication.
The study focused on mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis on the inner side of the knee, a common form of the condition. Because no single walking pattern works for everyone, the researchers measured how each participant moved and tested whether turning their toes slightly inward or outward reduced pressure on the affected part of the knee.
Of the 68 participants, half were taught a personalized adjustment. The others received training that followed the same process but kept their foot angle close to their usual one. Both groups attended six weekly sessions and used feedback from a device worn on the shin to practice their assigned gait. They were then encouraged to walk that way for at least 20 minutes each day.
After a year, participants reported their pain levels and underwent a second MRI. Those using the personalized gait reported greater pain relief than the comparison group, while their scans showed slower deterioration in a measure of cartilage health.
The change also appealed to at least one participant because it could become part of everyday life: “I don’t have to take a drug or wear a device…it’s just a part of my body now that will be with me for the rest of my days, so that I’m thrilled with.”
The researchers say the training process still needs to become simpler before it can be offered routinely in physical therapy clinics. For now, the results point to a hopeful new way to help people with arthritic knees keep moving more comfortably.
