The ombined use of lateral wedges and knee braces on the frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Aims and background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of isolated and combined use of valgus knee braces and lateral wedge foot orthotics on the frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces generated in the knee by the gait of patients with knee osteoarthritis. 24 males (age: 62.1 ± 2.0 years( with varus knee malalignment and symptomatic medial compartment knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Subjects walked over ground at their preferred speed in four conditions: (1( no assistive device (control(; (2( using lateral wedges, (3( using knee braces, and (4( using both lateral wedges and knee braces. The frequency spectrum of ground reaction force was calculated during walking in these different conditions. Findings: The ground reaction force requency was lower, with a power of 99.5%, in the vertical direction when the lateral wedges were used than those generated with walking with no assistive devices on both limbs. Also with use of the lateral wedge plus the brace this freqency was lower than that generated during walking with no assistive devices on both limbs. The results of the present study demonstrated that combined use of laterl wedge and valgus knee brace reduced ground reaction force frequency better than using these interventions seperately.