Effect of Lateral Wedge in Reduction of Knee Pain and Improvement of Gait Parameter in Subject with Knee Osteoarthritis: in Context with Indian Population

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disorder predominantly affecting older individuals. Factors like Varus malalignment that alter load distribution may cause the ground reaction force vector to press more medially to the knee joint center, resulting a higher knee adduction moment that aggravates pain and diminishes mobility. Intervention such as lateral wedge sole aim to reduce pain and increase activity level in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Biomechanical forces created by lateral wedge that alter the load distribution on knee used to reduce adduction moment of osteoarthritis knee. To access and quantify the effectiveness of lateral wedge sole using valid and reliable tool visual analogue scale and 10-meter paper walks way test. Lateral wedge sole (6.35mm with 10° inclinations from lateral border) affix with shoes, pre-test intervention score measured on 1st day, 7 days’ adaptation period recommended. Post-test intervention score repeated on same measures. There was no significant difference found in gait parameter between pre-test and post-test intervention score. But significant difference found in pre-test and post-test intervention score in visual analogue score. No such improvement found in gait parameter score, but It shows significant relief in knee pain in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis after use of lateral wedge sole. Key words: Osteoarthritis, Gait-parameter, Lateral Wedge, Pain.