Article

Recent literature has highlighted that the flexibility of walking barefoot
reduces overload in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). As such, the aim
of this study was to evaluate the effects of inexpensive, flexible, non-heeled
footwear (Moleca) as compared with a modern heeled shoes and walking barefoot on
the knee adduction moment (KAM) during gait in elderly women with and without
knee OA. The gait of 45 elderly women between 60 and 70 years of age was
evaluated. Twenty-one had knee OA graded 2 or 3 according to Kellgren and
Lawrence's criteria, and 24 who had no OA comprised the control group (CG). The
gait conditions were: barefoot, Moleca, and modern heeled shoes.
Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were measured to
calculate KAM by inverse dynamics. For both groups, the Moleca provided peak KAM
and KAM impulse similar to barefoot walking. For the OA group, the Moleca reduced
KAM even more as compared to the barefoot condition during midstance. On the
other hand, the modern heeled shoes increased this variable in both groups.
Inexpensive, flexible, and non-heeled footwear provided loading on the knee joint
similar to a barefoot gait and significant overload decreases in elderly women
with and without knee OA, compared to modern heeled shoes. During midstance, the
Moleca also allowed greater reduction in the knee joint loads as compared to
barefoot gait in elderly women with knee OA, with the further advantage of
providing external foot protection during gait.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS