Knee Brace and Biomechanical Footwear in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of exercising, and using a knee brace and exercising, and using of biomechanical footwear device on clinically important symptoms, physical function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The hypothesis is that the groups of using knee brace and biomechanical footwear can alleviate pain, improve physical function and quality of life more efficiently, than the group doing home exercises only. The subjects (n = 120) will be randomized into three groups mentioned above, after which they will start to do exercises, or to use a knee brace and do exercises, or to use biomechanical footwear at home according to the instructions for 4 months. Physical function, symptoms and quality of life will be measured before and after 4-month intervention. In addition, at 12-month time point follow-up surveys will be addressed with regard to symptoms and quality of life, as well as to cost-effectiveness of the study.