Walking Barefoot or Shoes - Which May Negatively Impact Knee Osteoarthritis?

Mechanical loading of the knee joint during lower extremity movement has previously been associated with severity and progression of osteoarthritis. Would you expect walking barefoot or wearing normal footwear (e.g. walking shoes) to decrease what researchers refer to as "dynamic knee loading"?

Study results published in the September 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism reveal gait analyses of 75 study participants while they walked barefoot and with their walking shoes. The participants had existing knee osteoarthritis. Knee adduction moment decreased 11.9 percent with barefoot walking. Other parameters also decreased significantly with barefoot walking, including:

• hip adduction moment
• hip internal rotation
• hip external rotation

Researchers concluded that shoes may increase loads and increase risk of joint damage on the lower extremity joints in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Related Resources:

• Guide to Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Osteoarthritis
• Test Your Knowledge: Osteoarthritis
• Step-by-Step: The Cause of Knee Pain
• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

_{Photo by Andrzej Burak (iStockphoto)}