APOS therapy improves clinical measurements and gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes in gait patterns and clinical measurements following treatment with a novel biomechanical device on patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Forty six patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis were analyzed. Patients completed a gait test, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and SF-36 Health Survey at baseline and after 12weeks. The biomechanical device was individually calibrated to each patient at baseline to allow training under reduced pain. FINDINGS: Gait velocity, step length and single limb support improved significantly and toe out angle decreased significantly (10%, 6%, 1% and 2%, respectively). WOMAC-Pain and WOMAC-Function significantly decreased (26% and 34%, respectively), and SF-36 score significantly increased following the 12weeks of treatment. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest an overall improvement in the gait patterns, level of pain and level of function of patients with knee osteoarthritis following 12weeks of treatment with the novel biomechanical device. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT00767780, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00767780.