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By: Sara M. Aksoy

Wedges are a type of mechanical aid that reducing pain in the knee through physically shifting some of the force off of the arthritic side of the knee.  

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is unique because the knee is a weight-bearing joint that holds up the force of most of the body.  As a result, the cartilage degradation associated with OA in the knee is affected by both the progression of the disease and by the force of the body on the knee. That force creates further contact between the arthritic joint surfaces, leading to more inflammation and pain.

By changing the alignment of the foot, the wedges affects the way in which weight distributes itself as it comes down through the knee.  

Depending on which part of the knee is arthritic, a lateral or medial shoe lift can be used. For example, if the arthritis is confined to the medial, or middle, compartment of the knee, as it is in about nine out of ten people then lateral shoe wedges may be effective in reducing pain. These wedges shift weight to the lateral or outside compartment of the knee, minimizing the painful bone-on-bone contact that is characteristic of arthritis in the affected compartment.

Wedges are most effective when used for mild to moderate medial knee OA.  They are often used in conjunction with medications, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, to reduce arthritis pain.  Like all OA treatments, wedges cannot treat the arthritis, only the pain associated with the disease.  For more information contact your health care provider.

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