Biomechanically Engineered Footwear for Knee Pain Reduction
Broga has developed a novel, bioinspired lattice structure that can be 3D printed to fabricate customizable, variable-stiffness shoe soles. These soles are designed to promote favorable foot positioning and motion during gait to reduce knee joint forces. Gait laboratory data demonstrate that first-generation prototypes incorporating a lateral-to-medial stiffness gradient—highest stiffness laterally—can measurably reduce knee joint forces in human subjects. This innovative footwear-based approach offers a scalable, non-invasive, and cost-effective solution for managing knee OA pain.
