Gait change lowers knee pain

A walking technique that shifts foot progression angle may reduce knee pain and slow cartilage degeneration in early knee osteoarthritis.

Foot angle shift eases knee osteoarthritis pain

A multi institution study published in The Lancet Rheumatology looked at 68 adults with early medial knee osteoarthritis. In a randomized design, participants either received gait retraining that shifted foot progression angle by 5 to 10 degrees to unload the knee or a sham program with no change in their natural angle. The training occurred weekly for six weeks, with a daily practice of about 20 minutes, and a follow up schedule over one year.

Results showed the gait retraining group reported greater pain relief than controls, and MRI scans indicated slower cartilage degeneration in the knee. The approach is non pharmacologic and carries no drug side effects, but experts caution that the study is small and needs replication in real world settings. If confirmed, gait modification could complement existing treatments and offer a non drug option for people with early knee OA.

The study highlights a shift in osteoarthritis care from pills to movement and technique. It illustrates how rehabilitation can slow disease when it is detected early and how a simple adjustment in walking can have lasting effects. At the same time, the findings point to the gap between lab results and day to day life. Real world use will depend on access to gait training resources and long term adherence. The small size and controlled setting mean doctors should wait for larger trials before changing standard care.

Highlights

Real world use will hinge on access to gait training and long term adherence.