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The American College of Rheumatology does not recommend modified shoes to relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) because outcome data are lacking (Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:220). In this randomized study of 164 Australian patients (age, ≥50) with documented moderate-to-severe medial compartment OA and pain, researchers assigned participants to wear specific stable supportive shoes or flat flexible shoes at least 6 hours daily. The two shoe types were distinguished by heel height, thickness, and pitch; presence of arch support; sole flexibility; and weight (stable supportive shoes are heavier).
At 6 months, overall change in pain while walking (on an 11-point scale; minimal clinically important difference, 1.8 units) favore…