A biomechanical footwear device is transforming pain management for millions suffering from chronic knee and back pain, potentially delaying the need for knee replacement surgery while outperforming traditional physical therapy.
At a Glance
- Innovative footwear therapy uses biomechanical engineering to reduce pain and improve function for knee osteoarthritis and low back pain sufferers
- Clinical studies show the shoe intervention reduces pain scores more effectively than standard physical therapy
- The device works by shifting pressure from painful areas and retraining muscles for healthier walking patterns
- Blue Cross Blue Shield and UK’s NHS are now covering this FDA-cleared treatment as a non-surgical alternative
- Over 70,000 patients worldwide have used the therapy with high satisfaction rates
How The Biomechanical Footwear Works
The innovative treatment, known as AposTherapy, combines a specialized footwear device with a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the root causes of musculoskeletal pain. The shoes feature adjustable, convex pods positioned under the sole that alter foot pressure points, reducing loads on painful joints and promoting better neuromuscular control during everyday activities.
“Apos Therapy doesn’t just treat the symptoms of pain, it treats the causes of pain – without painkillers or invasive procedures or requiring patients to change their daily routines,” says Dr. Cliff Bleustein, global CEO and president of AposTherapy.
The therapy works on a simple but effective principle: when someone suffers from joint pain, they typically develop compensatory walking patterns that can exacerbate their condition and cause additional problems. By recalibrating how forces distribute through the body during movement, the footwear helps correct these dysfunctional patterns.
Clinical Evidence Shows Promising Results
A randomized controlled trial comparing the shoe intervention to standard physical therapy revealed significant advantages for the footwear approach. Participants using the biomechanical shoes reported greater reductions in pain scores, improved functional outcomes, faster walking speeds, and enhanced quality of life compared to those receiving traditional physical therapy.
“If you’ve ever watched somebody who has pain — whether it’s knee pain, hip pain, back pain — they walk a little strange,” explains Matthew Bartels, MD, MPH. “We all know that if you have knee or back pain, physical therapy will make you better, but the problem is, people don’t keep the exercises up.”
Perhaps most promising is the therapy’s potential to delay or prevent knee replacement surgery. A retrospective registry review found a significantly lower percentage of knee replacement surgeries among patients using the biomechanical footwear compared to those who received traditional physical therapy. This finding suggests the intervention could help reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life for patients who might otherwise need surgery.
Insurance Coverage Expanding Access
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts launched a pilot program offering the AposTherapy treatment to its commercial, fully insured members without requiring a prescription or prior authorization. This initiative aims to provide non-surgical options for the millions suffering from chronic joint pain.
“We know many of our members suffer with knee, hip and low back pain, and they want surgery to be a last resort,” says Bruce Nash, MD, chief physician executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
In the United Kingdom, where over 20 million people suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, the National Health Service (NHS) is making similar strides. Beginning April 2024, the Apos shoe will be covered under NHS England’s MedTech Funding Mandate policy, ensuring faster and more equitable access to this effective intervention, particularly in areas where musculoskeletal conditions are more prevalent, such as regions affected by poverty.
Who Can Benefit From This Therapy
The biomechanical footwear intervention is FDA-cleared for treating knee osteoarthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions. It has been particularly beneficial for patients who have tried medication and exercise interventions without satisfactory results. The therapy is especially well-suited for individuals who maintain an active lifestyle but need additional support to reduce pain and improve function.
“For a specific type of patient that has tried exercise interventions, has tried medication interventions, and a combination of both, that has a decent amount of physical activity, it may be something to explore, particularly to maintain neutral balance or create a better line through the foot,” advises Garrett Bullock, PhD, DPT.
With over 70,000 patients worldwide already reporting high satisfaction rates with the therapy, this biomechanical intervention represents a significant advancement in non-surgical approaches to managing chronic joint pain. As more insurance providers recognize its benefits, the specialized footwear may become a standard treatment option for those seeking relief without resorting to medications or surgery.
