Rocker sole shoes for osteoarthritis
Queensland researchers have been investigating whether rocker sole shoes could be a worthwhile option for people with osteoarthritis in their knees. Central Queensland (CQ) University academics used a 12 camera motion analysis system and force plates to collect walking gait and pressure data.
Senior lecturer in podiatry, Elizabeth Madden (left), and her colleague, Dr Crystal Kean, say rocker sole shoes could be a worthwhile option for people with osteoarthritis in their knees.
A rocker sole shoe is a shoe which has a thicker than normal sole with a rounded heel.
Elizabeth Madden, senior lecturer in podiatry, and her colleague, Dr Crystal Kean, from exercise and sports science, have looked at the effect of the shoes on aspects of knee joint load, using biomechanical indicators of the load going through the knee.
They also investigated whether there was an immediate impact on the level of walking pain when compared with standard walking shoes or bare feet.
Ms Madden and Dr Kean’s study was in collaboration with the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne. It has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
The authors report that, compared with standard walking shoes, rocker sole shoes significantly reduced the load going through the knee (without a significant immediate impact on walking pain) and may potentially reduce medial knee joint loading.
Further research is seeking to pinpoint the effects of rocker sole shoes by examining the changing variables of sole density/sole curvature and mechanisms of knee joint load when compared with standard shoes.
“We are looking into functional performance and balance when using the rocker sole shoes, including any changes in pain levels,” Ms Madden said.
“If effective in reducing knee joint load in people with osteoarthritis in their knees, rocker sole shoes have the potential to be an effective and relatively inexpensive, non invasive strategy for managing osteoarthritis symptoms and slowing disease progression.”
