The role of orthoses in knee osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Taking into account that the role of orthoses in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is unclear and controversial, the purpose of this article is to review recent literature with the aim of answering the following question: What is the current role of orthoses in the treatment of knee OA?

Methods: A Cochrane Library and PubMed (MEDLINE) search related to the role of orthoses in knee OA was performed.

Results: Unloader braces decrease the adduction moment of the knee. In patients with varus medial compartment knee OA bracing is beneficial for pain, stiffness, function and quality of life (low grade of evidence). Lateral wedge arch support insoles seem not to decrease knee load. Lateral wedge insoles appear inefficacious at attenuating structural changes in patients with medial knee OA.

Conclusions: The ideal option for an orthosis in patients with knee OA keeps on indeterminate, and long-run inferences are lacking.

KEYWORDS:

• Knee
• osteoarthritis
• orthosis
• efficacy

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.