Soft Knee Brace versus Lateral Wedge Foot Insole on Pain and Proprioception in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that leads to pain, reduced proprioception, impaired range of motion (ROM), and functional limitations. Non-invasive interventions different physical therapy modalities such as therapeutic exercises, proprioceptive training, electrotherapy, balance training, home education and orthoses. Soft knee braces and lateral wedge foot insoles are often used to alleviate symptoms and improve function. However, comparative evidence regarding their effectiveness remains limited Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of soft knee braces and lateral wedge foot insoles, in conjunction with traditional physiotherapy, on pain intensity, knee proprioception, ROM, and functional activity in patients with knee OA. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 patients aged 40–60 years diagnosed with knee OA. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups: Group (1) wore a soft brace group plus traditional physiotherapy, group (2) wore a lateral wedge insole group plus traditional physiotherapy and group (3) (Control group) received traditional physiotherapy only. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS), proprioception and ROM were assessed by digital inclinometer, and function was assessed using the Arabic version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: All groups demonstrated significant reduction in pain. The soft brace group indicated the highest improvement in pain (Mean reduction = 3.25). All groups demonstrated significant reduction (improvement) in proprioception the lateral wedge indicated the highest (Mean reduction = 3.18). All groups demonstrated significant improvement in knee flexion range of motion the highest was in the lateral wedge group (Mean reduction = -12.5), All groups demonstrated significant improvement in knee extension range of motion the highest was in the lateral wedge group (Mean reduction = 3.75). All groups demonstrated significant improvement in function, the highest was soft knee brace (Mean reduction =15.8). Between group comparisons, there were statistically significant differences between control and soft knee brace groups and between control and lateral wedge foot insole. While, there was no statistically significant difference between soft knee brace and lateral wedge foot insole groups.Conclusion: Both soft knee braces and lateral wedge insoles combined with traditional physiotherapy, were effective than physiotherapy only in alleviating pain increase proprioception, range of motion and enhancing function in knee OA patients.