Knee pain is a common problem that affects many individuals, particularly the elderly. Knee surgery, such as knee replacement, have been traditionally used to treat chronic knee pain. However, surgery is not always the best solution, and there are many alternatives to consider. One such alternative is the Apos Therapy shoe, a non-surgical treatment option that has gained popularity in recent years. This article aims to explore the Apos Therapy shoe, its mechanism of action, and its effectiveness in treating knee pain.
What is Apos Therapy?
Apos Therapy is a non-surgical treatment method designed to relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The therapy uses specially designed shoes, called the Apos Shoes, which have adjustable convex pods on the soles. The pods are placed under specific pressure points, designed to change the alignment of the knee joint and reduce the load on the affected joint.
The Apos Therapy shoe system works by altering the patient’s gait mechanics, specifically the foot and knee angles during the stance and swing phase of walking. The shoes aim to redistribute the load on the knee joint and improve joint alignment, which may alleviate pain, improve function, and delay or prevent the need for surgery.
AposTherapy has been used for over a decade and has been studied in various populations, including patients with knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and knee instability. AposTherapy has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving function in these populations, with some studies reporting improvements in gait mechanics, muscle strength, and range of motion.
APOS shoe how does it work?
The Apos Therapy shoe system works by altering the patient’s gait mechanics, specifically the foot and knee angles during the stance and swing phase of walking. The shoes aim to redistribute the load on the knee joint and improve joint alignment, which may alleviate pain, improve function, and delay or prevent the need for surgery.
During walking, the Apos Therapy shoes encourage the patient to shift their weight from the painful areas to other parts of the foot. This shifting of weight results in a more natural walking pattern, with the patient’s foot and knee angles adjusted to reduce pressure on the affected knee joint.
The convex pods on the soles of the Apos Shoes are adjustable, allowing for customisation to the individual patient’s needs. This adjustability allows the shoes to provide targeted relief to specific pressure points on the foot and knee, resulting in improved joint alignment and reduced load on the affected joint. An improved joint alignment means you are doing less damage to the surfaces, so less likely to require knee surgery.
Clinical Evidence for Apos Shoes
Apos Therapy has been studied extensively in various populations, with most studies reporting positive outcomes in terms of pain reduction and improved function.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in 2018 analysed 11 studies on the effectiveness of Apos Therapy for knee osteoarthritis. The review found that Apos Therapy was effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Another systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2020 analysed 18 studies on the effectiveness of Apos Therapy for various knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and knee instability.
The review found that Apos Therapy was effective in reducing pain and improving function in these populations. The authors noted that Apos Therapy was particularly effective in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis.
Will it stop me needing Knee Surgery?
The research available on Apos therapy shows very positive results for avoiding knee surgery. It is particularly positive for those with mild and moderate Osteoarthritis, those patients often never needing to go on to have a knee replacement.
For those with severe osteoarthritis, it can help you avoid knee surgery for many years, and importantly, help you avoid pain while you are on the waiting list for surgery. If you decide to go for the knee surgery, the shoe really helps those outcomes improve, as you will go into surgery with a strong leg and they can be recalibrated post surgery to help with your rehabilitation program.
For more information get in touch with our fully trained Apos Clinicians, we offer a free assessment to see whether these shoes could be a non surgical solution for your knee pain.
