A new study conducted by Stanford University has found that a small change in the way you walk can help reduce knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis, achieving results similar to those of pain medication.

The study, published in the scientific journal The Lancet Rheumatology, focused on patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the inside of the knee, the area that bears most of the body’s weight and is most often affected by it. disease.

Scientists found that changing the angle of the sole during walking, adapted to each patient according to his natural way of movement, can significantly reduce the load on the damaged knee joint.

Participants underwent gait analysis and magnetic resonance imaging, while for six weeks they were trained to adopt the new walking pattern. Then, they continued to practice it for at least 20 minutes a day until this movement became natural.

After a year, the results showed that the patients reported less pain compared to the placebo group. In addition, new magnetic resonance imaging studies showed improvement in damaged cartilage.

Researchers note that this method may be particularly valuable for younger patients who face long-term use of pain medication before needing a knee replacement.

However, experts estimate that simpler and more affordable methods of analyzing gait are needed so that this technique can be widely used in physical therapy and clinical practice.

Source: prizrenpost