Researchers have identified a simple method that could significantly alleviate pain associated with knee arthritis by making slight adjustments to walking stride. A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology highlights how modifying foot positioning can reduce stress on the knee joints, potentially offering a new avenue for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis.
In the study, which involved 68 participants diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, researchers examined how changing foot angles while walking impacted knee joint stress and pain levels. Participants were trained to angle their feet slightly inward or outward from their natural alignment. The results showed that those who adjusted their stride experienced slower degeneration of cartilage in their knees, as well as notable reductions in knee pain and improved function after one year.
Co-lead researcher Valentina Mazzoli, an assistant professor of radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, stated, “Our findings suggest that helping patients find their best foot angle to reduce stress on their knees may offer an easy and fairly inexpensive way to address early-stage osteoarthritis.” She emphasized that this approach could decrease patients’ reliance on painkillers and potentially delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
During the study, participants walked on a treadmill while their gait was recorded. A computer program simulated their walking patterns to calculate the maximum stress placed on their knees. Researchers generated computer models of four new foot positions, angled inward or outward by 5 or 10 degrees, to evaluate which position would best reduce stress for each individual.
The participants were divided into two groups: one group trained in six sessions to adopt the personalized foot angle, while the other continued with their normal walking stride. Those who adjusted their gait managed to reduce maximum knee loading by 4%, while the control group saw an increase of over 3%. Notably, the participants who adopted the new foot position also reported a 2.5-point reduction on a 10-point pain scale, comparable to the effects of common over-the-counter painkillers like NSAIDs and acetaminophen.
Mazzoli highlighted the need for personalized treatment approaches, stating, “These results underscore the importance of tailoring treatment instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to osteoarthritis.” She noted that recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) may simplify this process. AI software capable of estimating joint loading through smartphone videos is now available, which could enable doctors to perform gait analyses without the need for specialized lab equipment.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to test whether these AI tools can effectively identify the optimal walking method for patients suffering from knee arthritis. They also aim to expand their study to include participants with obesity, as this demographic often faces additional challenges related to joint health.
For further information about knee arthritis, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons provides additional resources.
The implications of this research could transform how early-stage osteoarthritis is managed, providing patients with accessible and effective options to improve their quality of life.