Characteristics of clinical measurements between biomechanical responders and non-responders to a shoe designed for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of biomechanical and clinical measurements in relation to the knee adduction moment when wearing a standard shoe and a shoe design for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (Flex-OA). Methods Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from thirty-two healthy individuals (64 knees) using a ten camera motion analysis system and four force plates. Subjects performed 5 walking trials under the two conditions and the magnitude of individuals’ biomechanical responses where explored in relation to the clinical assessment of the Foot Posture Index, hip rotation range, strength of hip rotators, and active ankle-foot motion, all of which have been described as possible compensation mechanisms in knee osteoarthritis. Results Significant reductions in the first peak of the knee adduction moment (KAM) during stance phase (9.3%) were recorded (p  Conclusion Significant differences were seen in clinical assessments of hip rotation range and hip rotator strength between responders and non-responders using a cut-off of 0.02 Nm/kg change in the KAM.