• M Drexler, A Elbaz, A Mor, R Debi, E M Debbi, A Haim, R Lador, M Salai, and G Segal.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
• Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2012 May 1; 55 (4): 213-28.

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that a customized biomechanical therapy can improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. These studies were small and did not compare the improvements across gender, age, BMI or initial severity of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of new biomechanical therapy on the pain, function and quality of life of patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.MethodsSix hundred and fifty-four patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were examined before and after 12 weeks of a personalized biomechanical therapy (AposTherapy). Patients were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and SF-36 Health Survey.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the WOMAC-pain and WOMAC-function subscales were significantly lower compared to baseline (both P≤0.001). All eight categories of the SF-36 health survey significantly improved after treatment (all P≤0.001). Females and younger patients showed greater improvements with therapy.ConclusionsTwelve weeks of a customized biomechanical therapy (AposTherapy) improved symptoms of patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. We recommend that this therapy will be integrated in the management of knee osteoarthritis.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

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