Researchers Find Canes Reduce Arthritic Knee Pain
February 7th, 2012
According to news sources, researchers form the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo discovered that patients suffering from osteoarthritis whom rely on a cane reported less knee pain and overall improved functioning.
Jamil Natour, MD, lead author of the research, said, “Patients with knee osteoarthritis generally shift their weight nearly completely to the medial compartment during gait. Therefore, decreasing the load on the medial compartment should be one of the treatment objectives for such patients.”
The study observed 64 participants, with most of them being women, with an average age of 62 and who claimed to have had osteoarthritis in one or both knees for at least 6 years. Half of the participants were allowed to use canes tailored to their size and shown how to properly use them. The other participants were asked to simply go about their usual lives unassisted. After two months, the participants that were allowed the use of a cane claimed nearly 1 point in pain reduction on the Borg pain scale. Their oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during physical activities saw significant improvement as well.
As a Santa Monica Neurologist, I’m always searching for new ways to alleviate some of my patients’ pain symptoms. I’m happy that there is now documentation of the benefits of using a cane to steady themselves. If you experience consistent pain resulting from a chronic condition, call a pain management doctor near you to discuss some methods that may alleviate some of your pain.
Entry Filed under: News and Society