Cane can help arthritic knee
Published: May 9, 2008 at 11:02 PM
MELBOURNE, May 9 (UPI) -- University of Melbourne researchers using a 3-D camera system found using a cane helps reduce the load carried by an arthritic knee.
The research, published in Arthritis Care & Research, strongly supports using a cane on a regular basis to reduce the load borne across the knee.
Study leader Dr. Rana S. Hinman placed reflective markers on 40 volunteers -- 16 men and 24 women -- and captured their limb movements as they walked through the test walkway, which included two force plates to capture ground impact.
The study participants with a mean age of 65 had no joint replacements. Their osteoarthritis symptoms included persistent knee pain and loss of physical function.
Study participants were taught correct cane use by a physical therapist. The cane is held in the hand opposite the affected knee and moved only when the affected knee is moved.
This idea is echoed in a Web slide show by MayoClinic.com that advises patients also get help from the doctor or physical therapist to ensure the cane's grip does not cause hand problems, the rubber tip is good and the height is correct. The cane top should come up to the crease in the wrist.
The research, published in Arthritis Care & Research, strongly supports using a cane on a regular basis to reduce the load borne across the knee.
Study leader Dr. Rana S. Hinman placed reflective markers on 40 volunteers -- 16 men and 24 women -- and captured their limb movements as they walked through the test walkway, which included two force plates to capture ground impact.
The study participants with a mean age of 65 had no joint replacements. Their osteoarthritis symptoms included persistent knee pain and loss of physical function.
Study participants were taught correct cane use by a physical therapist. The cane is held in the hand opposite the affected knee and moved only when the affected knee is moved.
This idea is echoed in a Web slide show by MayoClinic.com that advises patients also get help from the doctor or physical therapist to ensure the cane's grip does not cause hand problems, the rubber tip is good and the height is correct. The cane top should come up to the crease in the wrist.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Health:
Women don't want to give sex history
Latest Headlines
- Missouri mother accused of cyberbullying
- India's PFC inks pact with Exim Bank
- BAE to upgrade PIM howitzer vehicles
- Amputee sprinter eligible for Olympics
- Iraq: Military arrests 14 terror suspects
- Arabs consider de-pegging from dollar
- Housing fails to revive markets Friday
- Death toll from Chinese quake at 22,069
Most Popular
- Death toll from Chinese quake at 22,069
- Kate to stand in for Will at royal wedding
- IBM claims solar power breakthrough
- Alleged rape victim posts YouTube video
- FDA closes smoked seafood plant
- Study shows bird sight isn't human sight
- Biodiversity on Earth is declining
- Palestinians step up Israeli attacks