Walking Differently Might Ease Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis is a common joint issue, especially in older adults. It often affects the knees, making walking painful. While there's no cure, staying active, keeping a healthy weight, and taking meds can help manage it.
A New Approach to Managing Knee Pain
A recent study suggests that changing how you walk could also help. Researchers found that tweaking the angle of your foot while walking might reduce knee pain and slow down osteoarthritis as effectively as some medications. This approach could be a game-changer for those in the early stages of the condition.
The Study
The study involved 68 adults with early-stage knee osteoarthritis. They were split into two groups:
- Experimental Group: Learned to walk with their toes turned in or out by 5 to 10 degrees.
- Control Group: Did not change their walking style.
After six weeks of training and a year of follow-up, the experimental group reported less pain and showed less knee cartilage damage.
Expert Insights
Experts are excited about these findings. They believe this method could be a promising alternative to medication. However, changing your walk isn't always easy. It involves understanding and altering complex walking patterns. But with new technologies, like AI, this process could become simpler and more accessible.