Nearly one in four people over the age of 40 suffers from painful osteoarthritis, a joint condition that wears away the cushioning cartilage.
There is currently no way to reverse the damage. Most people rely on pain medication and eventually face joint replacement surgery.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Utah, NYU, and Stanford University has discovered a new option: gait retraining. In a year-long study, simply adjusting the angle of how a person walks helped reduce pain as effectively as medication—and also helped protect the knee cartilage from further damage.
The study was published in *The Lancet Rheumatology* and led by Scott Uhlrich, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Utah. The study focused on people with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis on the inner side of the knee, which is the most common form.
The researchers used motion-capture cameras and pressure-sensitive treadmills to measure each participant’s gait. They then identified whether turning their toes inward or outward, and by how much, would reduce the pressure on the knee joint.
This personalized approach was key to the study’s success. Previous studies applied the same walking angle to all participants, which didn’t always reduce knee pressure. In contrast, this study tailored the foot angle to each person’s walking style.
The study involved 68 people. Half received a customized gait retraining program. The other half were given a ‘sham’ treatment that did not change their natural gait.
Both groups received six weeks of lab-based training using a shin-worn device that gave real-time feedback through gentle vibrations. Afterward, they were encouraged to continue practicing at home.
Participants followed their new walking style consistently. After one year, the group that changed their foot angle reported significantly less knee pain and had slower cartilage damage based on MRI scans.
The pain relief was similar to what people might experience with ibuprofen or even mild opioids like oxycontin—without any side effects. One participant said, ‘I don’t have to take a drug or wear a device… it’s just a part of my body now.’
This approach could be especially helpful for middle-aged adults, who might spend decades managing pain before qualifying for joint replacement. Before it can be used widely, however, the gait analysis and training process must be simplified.
Researchers hope that future versions of the program can use smartphone video or smart shoes to make the process faster, cheaper, and accessible in local clinics.
With further study, gait retraining could offer a simple, drug-free way to manage osteoarthritis and protect knee health for years to come.
The study is published in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
