Factors associated with stair climbing ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: People with knee osteoarthritis (OA) report ongoing limitations in climbing stairs, even after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available evidence of factors affecting stair climbing ability in patients with knee OA before and after TKA. Method: A systematic search was conducted of common electronic databases. All English language abstracts where stair-climbing was assessed in patients with either knee OA or at least 6 months after TKA, and a relationship to any physical, psychological or demographic factors was reported. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the final review, nine investigated a knee OA population, and four investigated a TKA population. For patients with knee OA there was consistent and convincing evidence that greater stair-climbing ability was related to stronger lower limb muscles and less knee pain. For patients with TKA there was much less research, and no conclusions could be reached. Conclusions: For people with knee OA there is evidence that some physical, demographic and psychosocial factors are related to stair-climbing ability. However, the evidence for similar relationships in the TKA population is scarce and needs more extensive research.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• People with knee osteoarthritis experience difficulty when climbing stairs, and this remains challenging even after knee replacement.

• For people with knee osteoarthritis, a range of physical, demographic and psychosocial factors contribute to stair-climbing ability, however, evidence for similar relationships in the TKA population is scarce.

• Rehabilitation that is multi-faceted may be the best approach to improve stair-climbing in people with knee osteoarthritis.

     

Design,construction, and evaluation of “sensor lock”: an electromechanical stance control knee joint

Background and aim: Most currently-available stance control knee ankle foot orthoses (SCKAFOs) still need full knee extension to lock the knee joint, and they are still noisy, bulky, and heavy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design, construct, and evaluate an original electromechanical SCKAFO knee joint that could feasibly solve these problems, and thus address the problems of current stance control knee joints with regards to their structure, function, cosmesis, and cost.

Method: Ten able-bodied (AB) participants and two (knee ankle foot orthosis) KAFO users were recruited to participate in the study. A custom SCKAFO with the same set of components was constructed for each participant. Lower limb kinematics were captured using a 6-camera, video-based motion analysis system.

Results: For AB participants, significant differences were found between normal walking and walking with the SCKAFO for temporal-spatial parameters and between orthoses with two modes of knee joints in the healthy subjects. Walking with stance control mode produced greater walking speed and step length, greater knee flexion during swing, and less pelvic obliquity than walking with a locked knee, for both AB and KAFO users.

Conclusions: The feasibility of this new knee joint with AB people was demonstrated.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Stance control knee ankle foot orthoses (SCKAFOs) are designed to stop knee flexion in stance phase and provide free knee movement during swing phase of walking.

• Due to their high cost, size, excessive weight, and poor performance, few SCKAFO were optimal clinically and commercially.

• The feasibility of the new knee joint with able-bodied people and poliomyelitis subjects was demonstrated.

     

Factors related to the indecision of older adults with knee osteoarthritis about receiving physician-recommended total knee arthroplasty

Purpose: To explore factors related to the indecision of older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) about receiving physician-recommended total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and their needs during the decision-making process.

Method: Older outpatients with knee OA and undecided about physician-recommended TKA (N?=?26) were recruited by convenience from two medical centers and one regional hospital in northern Taiwan. Data were collected in individual interviews using a semi-structured guide and analyzed by thematic analysis.

Results: Participants’ indecision about receiving physician-recommended TKA was due to four major concerns: treatment-related concerns, physical condition-related concerns, surgery-related concerns, and postsurgical care concerns. The few participants (n?=?6) who expressed needs during the decision-making process wanted more information about preparing for surgery, postsurgical care, rehabilitation, and medicines.

Conclusions: Healthcare providers are challenged to respect the decision-making process of older adults with OA regarding recommended TKA while maintaining their quality of life. These adults need appropriate information not only about the relationship between OA suffering and quality of life, but also TKA. While these patients are deciding whether to undergo physician-recommended TKA, they also need information about preparations for surgery, postsurgical care, rehabilitation, and medicines.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can significantly relieve pain and improve function for older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA), but many are unwilling to receive the surgery.

• Our older adult participants with knee OA ascribed their indecision about receiving physician-recommended TKA to treatment-related, physical condition-related, surgery-related, and postsurgical care-related concerns.

• Healthcare providers need to provide appropriate information to older adults with knee OA not only about the relationship between OA suffering and quality of life, but also about TKA.

• Healthcare providers should also provide these patients information about preparing for surgery, postsurgical care, rehabilitation, and medicines while they are deciding whether to undergo TKA.

     

Living experiences of middle-aged adults with early knee osteoarthritis in prediagnostic phase

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand the living experiences of middle-aged Taiwanese adults with early knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A qualitative research design was used in this study. Participants (n?=?17) were recruited by purposive sampling from orthopedic clinics at two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from July to December 2010. The data were transcribed verbatim and summarized by content analysis. Results: The results indicated that the lived experiences could be grouped into 4 main themes: awareness; surmise of causes; acquisition of strategies; and the search for confirmative diagnosis. Conclusions: This study found that patients’ knowledge is insufficient for recognition of the presence of early OA. There is a need for clinicians to integrate knowledge of OA into the health education system and to develop interventions for early knee osteoarthritic patients. Patients’ disease cognition must be promoted so that their ability to process early symptoms of this disease will improve.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Awareness, surmise of causes, and acquisition of strategies are repetitive circles. Patients pursue the true cause for their knee joint disease and seek confirmative diagnosis when the symptoms do not improve or when they became worse.

• The information patients have is insufficient to know the presence of degenerative osteoarthritis disease.

• There is a need for clinical practitioners to integrate knowledge of osteoarthritis into the health education system to increase awareness and to develop appropriate interventions for patients with early knee OA.

     

The psychometric properties of an Arabic numeric pain rating scale for measuring osteoarthritis knee pain

Purpose: The aims of this study were to translate the numeric rating scale (NRS) into Arabic and to evaluate the test–retest reliability and convergent validity of an Arabic Numeric Pain Rating Scale (ANPRS) for measuring pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods: The English version of the NRS was translated into Arabic as per the translation process guidelines for patient-rated outcome scales. One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with OA of the knee who had experienced pain for more than 6 months were asked to report their pain levels on the ANPRS, visual analogue scale (VAS), and verbal rating scale (VRS). A second assessment was performed 48 h after the first to assess test–retest reliability. The test–retest reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC_2,1). The convergent validity was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. In addition, the minimum detectable change (MDC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were also assessed.

Results: The repeatability of ANPRS was good to excellent (ICC 0.89). The SEM and MDC were 0.71 and 1.96, respectively. Significant correlations were found with the VAS and VRS scores (p?<0.01).

Conclusions: The Arabic numeric pain rating scale is a valid and reliable scale for measuring pain levels in OA of the knee.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The Arabic Numeric Pain Rating Scale (ANPRS) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, with psychometric properties in agreement with other widely used scales.

• The ANPRS is well correlated with the VAS and NRS scores in patients with OA of the knee.

• The ANPRS appears to measure pain intensity similar to the VAS, NRS, and VRS and may provide additional advantages to Arab populations, as Arabic numbers are easily understood by this population.

     

Cross-cultural adaptation,reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Purpose: We adapted the reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index for the Arabic language and tested its metric properties in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: One hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients who were referred for physiotherapy to the outpatient department were asked to answer the Arabic version of the reduced WOMAC index (ArWOMAC). After the completion of the ArWOMAC, the intensity of knee pain and general health status were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12), respectively. A second assessment was performed at least 48?h after the first session to assess test–retest reliability. The test–retest reliability was quantified using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to assess the internal consistency of the Arabic questionnaire. The construct validity was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results: The total ArWOMAC scale and pain and function subscales were internally consistent with Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of 0.91, 0.89 and 0.90, respectively. Test–retest reliability was good to excellent with ICC of 0.91, 0.89 and 0.90, respectively. SF-12 and VAS score significantly correlated with ArWOMAC index (p?Conclusions: The ArWOMAC index is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating the severity of knee OA, with metric properties in agreement with the original version.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Although, the reduced WOMAC index has been clinically utilized within the Saudi population, the Arabic version of this instrument is not validated for an Arab population to measure lower limb functional disability caused by OA.

• The Arabic version of reduced WOMAC (ArWOMAC) index is a reliable and valid scale to measure lower limb functional disability in patients with knee OA.

• The ArWOMAC index could be suitable in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries where the language, culture and the life style are similar.

     

Determinants of pain,disability, health-related quality of life and physical performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis awaiting total joint arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose: In patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee arthroplasty, to measure associations between several selected determinants and pain, disability, health-related quality of life and physical performance.

Material and methods: Validated self-reported measures were collected: (1) Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, (2) Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and (3) Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Physical performance was also assessed with four validated performance tests. Demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of the participants were also measured. Multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate potential associations.

Results: Higher fear-avoidance beliefs, greater comorbidities, psychological distress and use of a walking aid were significantly associated with worse pain, function or HRQOL (p?<?0.05) and explained 12%–35% of the variances of the self-reported measure scores. Pretest pain and change in pain during posttest, greater comorbidities, psychological distress and use of a walking aid were significantly associated with worse performance on the physical tests (p?<?0.05) and explained 41%–59% of the variances of the different physical tests results.

Conclusions: Several determinants were significantly associated with worse pain, disability, health-related quality of life or physical performance. Several of these associations may be considered clinically important, including psychosocial determinants in relation to self-reported measures, but to physical performance as well.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Knee osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent and disabling condition incurring important socioeconomic costs.

• Several modifiable determinants have been shown to contribute to pain and disability in individuals suffering from knee OA awaiting TKA.

• Recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of education and rehabilitation (prehabilitation) in individuals awaiting TKA.

     

Contribution of knee adduction moment impulse to pain and disability in Japanese women with medial knee osteoarthritis

Background

An increase in the knee adduction moment is one of the risk factors of medial knee osteoarthritis. This study examined the relationship between knee adduction moment and self-reported pain and disability. We also investigated the influence of pain on the relationships between knee adduction moment and gait performance and disability.

Methods

Thirty-eight Japanese women with medial knee osteoarthritis participated in this study (66.37 years (41–79 years)). Gait analysis involved the measurement of the external knee adduction moment impulse in the stance duration and during 3 subdivisions of stance. The total, pain and stiffness, and physical function Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure scores were determined.

Findings

The pain and stiffness, physical function, and total scores were positively correlated with the knee adduction moment impulses in the stance duration, and initial and second double support interval, and single limb support interval. The knee adduction moment impulse during the stance duration was related to the pain and stiffness subscale and gait velocity. The pain and stiffness subscale was related to the physical function subscale.

Interpretation

Our results suggest that increasing in the knee adduction moment impulse, a proxy for loading on the medial compartment of the knee, is related to increased pain during weight-bearing activities such as walking, thereby restricting walking performance and causing disability by reducing gait velocity. Thus, the reduction in the knee adduction moment impulse during gait may result in pain relief and may serve as a conservative treatment option with disease-modifying potential.     

Using musculoskeletal modeling to evaluate the effect of ankle foot orthosis tuning on musculotendon dynamics: a case study

Purpose: This case study examines the influence of an ankle foot orthosis footwear combination (AFO-FC) on musculotendon lengths and gait kinematics and kinetics after right thrombotic stroke resulting in left hemiplegia. Methods: Gait analysis was performed over three visits where the subject walked with an AFO-FC with two shank-to-vertical angle (SVA) alignments, a posterior leaf spring AFO (PLS AFO), and shoes alone. Biomechanical and musculoskeletal modeling was used to evaluate musculotendon lengths, kinematics, and kinetics for each condition. Results: The AFO-FC improved walking speed and non-paretic kinematics compared to the PLS AFO and shoes alone. The operating length of the paretic gastrocnemius decreased with the AFO-FC improving knee kinematics in swing, but not stance. As the SVA of the AFO-FC was reduced from 15° to 12°, internal ankle plantar flexor moment increased. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal modeling demonstrated that the AFO-FC altered gastrocnemius operating length during post-stroke hemiplegic gait. Using these tools to evaluate muscle operating lengths can provide insight into underlying mechanisms that may improve gait and guide future AFO-FC design.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Modeling musculotendon operating lengths during movement has the potential to inform how ankle foot orthoses (AFO) affect tight muscles and improve mobility after stroke.

• Adjusting shank-to-vertical angle (SVA) of the AFO-footwear combination (AFO-FC) has the potential to improve gait kinematics by controlling length of the pathologic gastrocnemius and maximizing internal ankle plantar flexor moment of individuals with neuromuscular disorders.

     

Changes in self-reported disability after performance-based tests in obese and non-obese individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this study are three-fold: (1) To examine whether the WOMAC questionnaire should be obtained before or after performance-based tests. (2) To assess whether self-reported disability scores before and after performance-based tests differ between obese and non-obese individuals. (3) To observe whether physical activity and BMI predict self-reported disability before and after performance based tests. Methods: A longitudinal study included thirty one participants diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA) using the Kellgren-Lawrence Scale by an orthopedic surgeon. Results: All WOMAC scores were significantly higher after as compared to before the completion of performance-based tests. This pattern of results suggested that the WOMAC questionnaire should be administered to individuals with OA after performance-based tests. The obese OA was significantly different compared to the non-obese OA group on all WOMAC scores. Physical activity and BMI explained a significant proportion of variance of self-reported disability. Conclusion: Obese individuals with knee OA may over-estimate their ability to perform physical activities, and may under-estimate their level of disability compared to non-obese individuals with knee OA. In addition, self-reported physical activity seems to be a strong indicator of disability in individuals with knee OA, particularly for individuals with a sedentary life style.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disabling condition that restricts physical function and participation in daily activities, particularity in elderly individuals.

• Obesity is a comorbidity commonly associated with osteoarthritis and it appears to increase self-reported disability in those diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee.

• In a relatively small sample, this study recommends that rehabilitation professionals obtain self-report questionnaires of disability after performance-based tests in obese individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee as they are more likely to give an accurate representation of their level of ability at this time.

     

Relationships among foot position,lower limb alignment,and knee adduction moment in patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among the foot progression angle, foot rotation angle, lower limb alignment, and knee adduction moments in patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Subjects] Forty-eight patients diagnosed with degenerative knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 and 3) were included. [Methods] To assess the lower extremity alignment and weight-bearing ratio, static radiographic measurement was used. Foot progression angle, foot rotation angle, and knee adduction moments were measured by using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. [Results] The results of this study were as follows: the foot progression angle in the early and late stance phase was significantly correlated with the first and second peak knee adduction moments; the weight-bearing ratio was significantly correlated with the first and second peak knee adduction moments; and the tibiofemoral angle was significantly correlated with the first and second peak knee adduction moments. [Conclusion] The results of the present study indicated that as the foot progression angle and the foot lateral rotation angle increased, the knee adduction moment decreased. The weight-bearing ratio and tibiofemoral angle assessment with mechanical axis alignment were correlated with the knee adduction moments. These parameters may be helpful for selecting therapeutic options for patients with degenerative knee OA.Key words: Knee osteoarthritis, Knee adduction moment, Foot rotation angle     

A real time biofeedback using Kinect and Wii to improve gait for post-total knee replacement rehabilitation: a case study report

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a low-cost real-time biofeedback system to assist with rehabilitation for patients following total knee replacement (TKR) and to assess its feasibility of use in a post-TKR patient case study design with a comparison group. Method: The biofeedback system consisted of Microsoft Kinect^TM and Nintendo Wii balance board with a dedicated software. A six-week inpatient rehabilitation program was augmented by biofeedback and tested in a single patient following TKR. Three patients underwent a six weeks standard rehabilitation with no biofeedback and served as a control group. Gait, function and pain were assessed and compared before and after the rehabilitation. Results: The biofeedback software incorporated real time visual feedback to correct limb alignment, movement pattern and weight distribution. Improvements in pain, function and quality of life were observed in both groups. The strong improvement in the knee moment pattern demonstrated in the case study indicates feasibility of the biofeedback-augmented intervention. Conclusion: This novel biofeedback software has used simple commercially accessible equipment that can be feasibly incorporated to augment a post-TKR rehabilitation program. Our preliminary results indicate the potential of this biofeedback-assisted rehabilitation to improve knee function during gait. Research is required to test this hypothesis.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The real-time biofeedback system developed integrated custom-made software and simple low-cost commercially accessible equipment such as Kinect and Wii board to provide augmented information during rehabilitation following TKR.

• The software incorporated key rehabilitation principles and visual feedback to correct alignment of the lower legs, pelvic and trunk as well as providing feedback on limbs weight distribution.

• The case study patient demonstrated greater improvement in their knee function where a more normal biphasic knee moment was achieved following the six-week biofeedback intervention.

     

Comfort and midfoot mobility rather than orthosis hardness or contouring influence their immediate effects on lower limb function in patients with anterior knee pain

Background

Despite evidence for use of foot orthoses in the treatment of anterior knee pain, there is a paucity of research into their mechanisms of action. This study (i) determined the immediate lower limb kinematics and muscle activity adaptations, and (ii) evaluated the effect of individual's comfort and foot mobility.

Methods

Forty individuals diagnosed with anterior knee pain were measured for lower limb kinematics and electromyographic activity (via surface electrodes) while they jogged in three prefabricated contoured orthoses (hard, medium and soft) and a soft-flat orthosis. Subjects ranked orthoses in order of comfort.

Findings

Soft orthoses were more comfortable. No immediate adaptations in kinematics and electromyographic activity were observed when orthoses were added to shoes. There were few effects of perceived comfort and foot mobility, one being a significant interaction in frontal plane hip motion (Pillai's V = 0.089, P = 0.031) with the least comfortable orthosis producing the greatest relative adduction in those with mobile feet (0.54° (standard deviation 0.87)). Other main effects were a significant increase in vastus lateralis activity when wearing the least comfortable orthosis (6.94%, P = 0.007) and a delay in offset of medial gastrocnemius in individuals with less mobile feet (1.51%, P = 0.045).

Interpretation

It is becoming apparent that it is important to use more comfortable foot orthoses in a condition like anterior knee pain, where there is an associated increased hip adduction and vastus lateralis activity with least comfortable orthoses. Future research is needed to determine adaptations after ongoing wearing of orthoses.     

The measurement of psychological constructs in people with osteoarthritis of the knee: a psychometric evaluation

Purpose To examine the measurement properties of measures of psychological constructs in people with knee osteoarthritis. Method Participants with osteoarthritis of the knee completed the beck depression inventory (BDI-II), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), arthritis helplessness index (AHI), fatigue severity scale (FSS), coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ), beliefs about pain control questionnaire (BPCQ), illness perceptions questionnaire-revised (IPQ-R), pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ) at home as part of a set of measures covering different aspects of osteoarthritis pain. The questionnaires were returned by pre-paid envelope. Rasch analysis was used to check the psychometric properties of the scales in people with osteoarthritis. Results The STAI-SF was an acceptable measure of anxiety and the revised FSS an acceptable measure of fatigue, with removal of items 1 and 2. The BDI subscales were acceptable for measuring negative thoughts and behaviours related to depressive symptomatology with some modifications to the scale. The helplessness scale of the AHI was acceptable as a measure of helplessness. The PSEQ was an acceptable measure of self-efficacy and the CSQ as a measure of cognitive coping strategies. The BPCQ and IPQ-R did not fit the Rasch model. Conclusions These findings indicate that questionnaires need to be checked for their ability to measure psychological constructs in the clinical groups to which they will be applied.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• For people with osteoarthritis, the STAI-SF is an acceptable measure of anxiety and the revised FSS an acceptable measure of fatigue with removal of items 1 and 2.

• The BDI subscales, but not the total score, are acceptable for measuring depressive symptomatology with some modifications to the scoring of the scale. And helplessness can be measured using the Helplessness subscale of the AHI.

• The PSEQ was an acceptable measure of self-efficacy and cognitive coping strategies can be measured with the CSQ.

• Rasch analysis highlighted lack of unidimensionality, disordered response thresholds and poor targeting in some measures commonly used for people with osteoarthritis

     

Short-term effects of a dedicated knee orthosis on knee adduction moment, pain, and function in patients with osteoarthritis

Fantini Pagani CH, Böhle C, Potthast W, Brüggemann G-P. Short-term effects of a dedicated knee orthosis on knee adduction moment, pain, and function in patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective

To analyze knee joint loading, subjective pain relief, and improvements in function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) with the use of 2 orthosis adjustments.

Design

Patients were tested under 3 different conditions (without orthosis, orthosis at 4° valgus, and a neutral very flexible adjustment) in a crossover trial.

Setting

University gait analysis laboratory with 3-dimensional motion analysis and force platforms.

Participants

Patients (N=11) with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of unilateral OA in the medial knee compartment.

Interventions

Patients wore a knee orthosis designed to unload the medial knee compartment for 4 weeks in 2 different adjustments (2 weeks in each adjustment).

Main Outcome Measures

Net knee adduction moment and net knee adduction angular impulse during the stance phase were analyzed by using inverse dynamics. Subjective pain relief, stiffness, and function improvement were evaluated using a questionnaire (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index). A 6-minute walk test and stair-climbing test also were performed.

Results

Both orthosis adjustments induced subjective pain relief and improvement in function compared with the condition without orthosis. Knee adduction moment was significantly decreased with both adjustments, whereas the decrease observed with the 4° valgus adjustment was significantly greater than the flexible adjustment (25% vs 12.5%). Compared with the condition without orthosis, changes in knee adduction angular impulse of 29% and 15% were found with 4° valgus and the neutral flexible orthosis, respectively. Time required for the stair-climbing activity was significantly decreased using the orthosis in 4° valgus adjustment compared with the condition without orthosis. No significant differences were observed among conditions during the 6-minute walk test.

Conclusions

Both orthosis adjustments were effective in decreasing symptoms; however, a decrease in knee loading was more effective using the 4° valgus adjustment, which could contribute to avoidance of disease progression.     

The efficacy of foot orthoses on alteration to center of pressure displacement in subjects with flat and normal feet: a literature review

Purpose: The aim of this review was to evaluate and compare the effect of foot orthoses on center of pressure (CoP) displacement in healthy patients and those with flat foot. Method: The search strategy was based on the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO) method. A search was performed in PubMed, Science Direct, Google scholar and ISI web of knowledge databases by using selected keywords. Seventeen articles were selected for final evaluation. The procedure was followed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. Result: The results of the literature review demonstrated that there is lack of evidence to show that FOs improve CoP displacement in subjects with flat foot. Conclusion: There is no consistent evidence to prove the efficacy of FOs on altering CoP displacement in healthy subjects but in those with flat foot, FOs decreased CoP excursion.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Foot orthoses (FOs) have become an integral part of the treatment of injuries of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity.

• Assessment of FOs effect on the COP displacement can help to provide a better understanding of the body’s compensatory mechanisms and their therapeutic effects.

• There is no consistent evidence to prove the efficacy of FOs on CoP displacement in healthy subjects but in flat foot subjects foot orthoses decreased CoP excursion has been demonstrated.

     

Efficacy of knee braces and foot orthoses in conservative management of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

A systematic analysis was conducted on the effectiveness of knee braces and foot orthoses in conservative management of knee osteoarthritis. The methodologic quality of the randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies were systematically reviewed using the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The orthoses used in the studies included Generation II osteoarthritis knee brace, valgus knee braces, functional off-loading knee braces, knee sleeves, lateral-wedged insoles with subtalar strapping, medial-wedged insoles, and specialized footwear. Results suggest that knee braces and foot orthoses are effective in decreasing pain, joint stiffness, and drug dosage. They also improve proprioception, balance, Kellgren/Lawrence grading, and physical function scores in subjects with varus and valgus knee osteoarthritis. Knee braces and foot orthoses could be cautiously considered as conservative management for relief of pain and stiffness and improving physical function for persons with knee osteoarthritis. The conclusions of this review are limited by methodologic considerations like poor quality of trials and heterogeneity of interventions.     

Technical devices in children with motor disabilities: a review

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of technical devices used in children with motor disabilities. Method: A systematic search of CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Isi Web of Knowledge and Scifinder Web was carried out, covering the period between January 2000 and January 2012. The inclusion criteria were: (1) Studies involving a minimum of five children (randomized-clinical trials with control group and experimental group, clinical trials without control group and prospective cohort studies; (2) age range, 0 to 18 years. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the two authors through the application of the PEDro scale. Results: Of the 59 articles identified by the search strategy, 27 articles were considered eligible. The most frequently evaluated devices were ankle and foot orthoses and the most studied pathology was cerebral palsy. The mean score on the PEDro scale was 6.8. Conclusions: The methodological quality of studies needs to be improved and more rigorous research designs should be followed that will allow the effectiveness and quality of movement to be assessed. The satisfaction of the patient and family with the devices should be analyzed in future studies.

• Implications for Rehabiliation

• The study adds an analysis of studies to determine the effectiveness of technical devices in children with motor disabilities and proposals for future studies to assess the long-term outcomes and improve the quality of interventions.

• Therefore, this review proposes to identify:

• The main technical device used in children with motor disability.

• Which types of pathology or motor disorders require technical devices to be used and what devices are available.

• The effects on the child of wearing technical devices.

• The measurements used to determine the effectiveness of technical aids.