Arthritis is a condition impacting nearly one in four adults over the age of 40, and remains one of the main causes of chronic pain and disability globally. Osteoarthritis, the most common type , gradually erodes away the cartilage that cushions joints, especially in the knees and hips. For decades, treatment options have largely restricted pain management through medication or surgical processes like joint replacement. However, recent research points out there may be an easier, non-invasive solution: gait retraining.
“We’ve known that for people with osteoarthritis, higher loads in their knee accelerate progression, and that changing the foot angle can reduce knee load,” said Uhlrich, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “So the idea of a biomechanical intervention is not new, but there have not been randomized, placebo-controlled studies to show that they’re effective.”
“Previous trials prescribed the same intervention to all individuals, resulting in some individuals not reducing, or even increasing, their joint loading,” Uhlrich cited. “We used a personalized approach to selecting each individual’s new walking pattern, which improved how much individuals could offload their knee and likely contributed to the positive effect on pain and cartilage that we saw.”
The method involves a combination of visual feedback, real-time monitoring, and guided exercises to aid patients adopt new walking styles. Over weeks, these adjustments become habitual, enabling sustained pain relief and minimized joint stress.
Experts also highlight that gait retraining can complement other forms of therapy, including physical exercise, strength training, and lifestyle changes. This integrated method increases overall joint stability, balance, and mobility, thereby reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
FAQs:
Q1. What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can affect mobility and daily activities.
Q2. What is gait retraining?
Gait retraining is a therapy that adjusts how a person walks. It helps reduce stress on painful joints.
What Is Gait Retraining?
Gait retraining is a therapeutic method that adjusts the way a person walks to minimize stress on impacted joints. By altering foot positioning and walking mechanics, this process focuses to alleviate pain while slowing down the progression of arthritis. Other than traditional treatments, gait retraining does not involve any drugs, injections, or surgery, providing patients a safer and more natural way to manage their condition.Scientific Evidence and Key Experts
A groundbreaking study by Professor Scott Uhlrich at the University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering has offered compelling proof supporting the efficiency of gait retraining. Published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the research has a year-long randomized controlled trial that involved adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Volunteers were asked to adjust the angle of their foot while walking, guided by individualized motion capture analyses.“We’ve known that for people with osteoarthritis, higher loads in their knee accelerate progression, and that changing the foot angle can reduce knee load,” said Uhlrich, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “So the idea of a biomechanical intervention is not new, but there have not been randomized, placebo-controlled studies to show that they’re effective.”
“Previous trials prescribed the same intervention to all individuals, resulting in some individuals not reducing, or even increasing, their joint loading,” Uhlrich cited. “We used a personalized approach to selecting each individual’s new walking pattern, which improved how much individuals could offload their knee and likely contributed to the positive effect on pain and cartilage that we saw.”
How Gait Retraining Works?
Osteoarthritis affects the medial compartment of the knee, the inner side, which bears the most of the weight during walking. Over time, increased strain on this region accelerates cartilage degeneration, resulting in pain and restricting mobility. Gait retraining addresses this issue by subtly adjusting the foot angle, redistributing forces evenly in the joint.The method involves a combination of visual feedback, real-time monitoring, and guided exercises to aid patients adopt new walking styles. Over weeks, these adjustments become habitual, enabling sustained pain relief and minimized joint stress.
Benefits Beyond Pain Relief
Aside from minimizing discomfort, gait retraining has other wider implications for long-term joint health. By slowing cartilage wear, it may delay or even prevent the need for surgical intervention in severe cases. Also this approach empowers patients to actively participate in handling their condition, initiating greater independence and quality of life.Experts also highlight that gait retraining can complement other forms of therapy, including physical exercise, strength training, and lifestyle changes. This integrated method increases overall joint stability, balance, and mobility, thereby reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
FAQs:
Q1. What is arthritis?Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can affect mobility and daily activities.
Q2. What is gait retraining?
Gait retraining is a therapy that adjusts how a person walks. It helps reduce stress on painful joints.
