A revolutionary study of the University of Utah demonstrates that a simple adjustment of the angle of the foot during walking can relieve osteoarthritis of the knee as effectively as drugs. This non -invasive technique could delay the use of a joint prosthesis by several years.
Knee osteoarthritis affects almost a quarter of adults worldwide and is a major cause of disability. Faced with the limits of current treatments based on pain medication management, researchers from the University of Utah offer a revolutionary approach. Their study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, shows that a simple Biomechanical adjustment The process can offer equivalent relief to anti-inflammatory drugs. This discovery opens up new therapeutic perspectives for millions of people suffering from this degenerative pathology.
The biomechanical revolution against knee osteoarthritis
The clinical study of the University of Utah: rigorous methodology
The researchers led a randomized clinical trial Of 68 participants with light to moderate osteoarthritis of the medial knee compartment. The study spread over a full year with a rigorous protocol including a placebo group to control the psychological effect. Participants benefited from six weekly training sessions with Return of information in real time via vibrations on the tibia. This scientific approach definitively validates the effectiveness of walking rehabilitation as a credible therapeutic alternative.
Foot angle modification: personalized technique
L’Optimal foot angle Varies according to each individual, requiring precise personalization of the intervention. Scientists analyze the natural approach to determine whether to orient the toe inward or exterior will best reduce the joint load, underlines independent. THE adjustments from 5 to 10 degrees are the most effective depending on the case. This tailor -made approach explains the success of the method, each patient receiving a biomechanical prescription adapted to his morphology and his specific walking pattern.
Impressive results: relief comparable to drugs
After a year of follow -up, the participants of the intervention group showed a significant decrease in pain Compared to the placebo group. The relief obtained is between that of ibuprofen and narcotics such as oxycontin according to Dr Scott Uhlrich. Even more remarkable, the MRI reveals a Cartilaginous degradation slowed down in patients who have changed their approach. These objective results confirm that the technique acts directly on the physiopathological mechanisms of osteoarthritis.
Advantages and future prospects of this approach
A lasting alternative to drug treatments
The Walking rehabilitation presents the major advantage of possible membership over long periods, unlike pharmacological treatments with side effects. For patients aged 30 to 50, this intervention can fill the existing therapeutic vacuum before joint replacement. The absence ofMedication side effects And the possibility of an autonomous daily practice make this technique a solution particularly suitable for chronic management of knee osteoarthritis. Recall that the knee is not the only joint affected by osteoarthritis. Indeed, hands, jaw and hips are not spared from people of a certain age.
Action mechanism: reduction of joint loads
The principle is based on the Reduction of mechanical constraints Exerted on the medial knee compartment during walking. By modifying the angle of the foot, the forces redistribute differently in the joint, reducing the pressure on the most affected cartilaginous areas. This biomechanical approach attacks the mechanical causes of arthritis progression directly. The decrease in repetitive loads allows residual cartilage to better resist degeneration, explaining the results observed in MRI.
Generalized clinical application perspectives
This discovery could revolutionize the early management knee osteoarthritis in the coming years. The integration of information back -up devices into mobile applications could democratize access to this therapy. Physiotherapists and podiatrists will likely have to train in these new re -educational techniques. The long -term objective is to significantly delay surgical interventions, thereby reducing public health costs while improving the quality of life of arthritis patients.