From the Popular Press: What Your Patients are Reading:

Researchers at the University of Melbourne in Australia found that using a cane may help reduce the risk of the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA is an incurable joint disease, and is the leading cause of disability in the elderly. The peak knee adduction moment—an indication of weight placement on the limb while walking—was measured while patients walked with and without canes. The impact of wearing shoes was also measured. The use of a cane led to an average of a 10% decrease in the knee adduction moment. Some knee OA patients experienced as high as a 20% decrease. Cane usage also improved stride length and improved pelvis control, alleviating the load born by the knee with OA. Researchers observed a decrease in the peak knee adduction moment when patients walked barefoot as opposed to with shoes on, but do not recommend knee OA patients to walk around barefoot. Instead, further research is needed to determine what elements of shoes can be adjusted to alleviate the load placed on the knee.

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