According to a neat little randomised control trial published in JAMA, wearing individualised biomechanical footwear can significantly reduce knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. The six-month study also showed that the footwear improved the function of the knee as judged by gait studies into velocity and step length.

The researchers say, because they were only looking at results over a 24 week period, they cannot predict the long-term clinical significance of their study findings, however for a condition that is becoming more and more common as our society gets older and fatter and where our therapeutic options are relatively limited, this study might prove useful.