Objective
To investigate the effect of laterally wedged insole on static balance of patients with degenerative osteoarthritic knees. Method: Eighteen female patients were diagnosed with medial compartment knee degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) based on symptoms and simple X-rays. Patients were studied while they stood wearing shoes with the 5 degrees or 10 degrees lateral wedged insoles compared with a bare foot. Patients chose a comfortable stance with feet spread apart, slightly turned outwards, and were asked to look straight ahead at a fixed point in a quiet room. Postural sway and weight load asymmetry were recorded while the patients were standing on two adjacent force platforms during a 30 second trial. Results: Postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds were not significantly changed by wearing laterally wedged insoles with varying elevations (p＞0.05). Conclusion: The degree of the postural sway and weight load asymmetry for 30 seconds with the insole were not affected by the tilt of the lateral wedge. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 324-328)
