RESUMEN
Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition having an increased prevalence with age. Non-pharmacological interventions are frequently and widely used and strongly recommended in the management of patients with osteoarthritis. Lateral-wedged insoles have been shown to help clinical pain associated with medial compartment osteoarthritis. Yet, it has been shown ineffective in some studies. This study was done to compare the effect of laterally elevated wedged insoles with neutrally wedged insole an the symptom of patients with medial knee osteoarthritis. This double - blind clinical - trial study was done in Rheumatology ward of Imam Reza Hospital in the years 2004 - 2005. 118 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Case group [57 patients] received laterally wedged insoles and control group [61 patients] received neutrally wedged insoles for two months. Edinburg knee functional scale was used. At the end of month 2, Patients were asked about the severity of knee pain within the last 2 days and the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs taking within the 2 weeks ago and another Edinburg knee functional scale completed. Analysis of data was performed with SPSS version 11.5. The results were compared by using student's t test, chi-square and Mann Whitney tests. Of the 150 patients enrolled, 118 [49 female and 8 male in laterally wedged insole group and 52 female and 9 male in neutrally wedged insole group] completed the study. There was good baseline balance between the groups, in respect of self reported knee pain, Edinburg knee functional scale and anti-inflammatory drugs taking by the patients. At the end of the study there was statistically significant difference in severity of knee pain in each of the groups from baseline. [p<0.001 in laterally wedged insole group and p=0.012 in neutrally wedged insole]. However there was statistically significant difference in severity of knee pain between the groups [p<0.001]. Edinburg knee functional scale had statistically significant difference from baseline in laterally wedged insole group [p<0.001], while there was no statistically significant difference in neutrally wedged insole group [p=0.645]. There also was statistically significant difference from baseline in laterally wedged insole group on taking anti-inflammatory drugs [p=0.001], but not in neutrally wedged insole group [p=0.941]. Laterally elevated wedged insole was shown to be more effective in reduction of symptoms in osteoarthritic patients