Which statement about PFPS orthoses is supported by evidence?

Which statement about PFPS orthoses is supported by evidence?

• A. Prefabricated foot orthoses have strong evidence for long-term pain reduction
• B. Prefabricated foot orthoses have strong evidence for short-term pain reduction in patients with overpronation
• C. Prefabricated foot orthoses have no effect
• D. Prefabricated foot orthoses worsen symptoms

Answer: (B)

In patellofemoral pain, correcting excessive foot pronation with prefabricated foot orthoses can reduce the stresses that drive pain at the patellofemoral joint. The evidence shows that, for people with overpronation, these orthoses provide short-term pain relief—typically within weeks to a few months—by improving foot mechanics and reducing abnormal knee loading. However, the long-term benefits are less consistent, with fewer studies showing durable pain reduction over the longer term. So the best-supported statement is that prefabricated foot orthoses can yield short-term pain relief in patients who overpronate. They do not reliably guarantee long-term improvement across all PFPS cases, and they are not without effect in those without pronation issues.

In patellofemoral pain, correcting excessive foot pronation with prefabricated foot orthoses can reduce the stresses that drive pain at the patellofemoral joint. The evidence shows that, for people with overpronation, these orthoses provide short-term pain relief—typically within weeks to a few months—by improving foot mechanics and reducing abnormal knee loading. However, the long-term benefits are less consistent, with fewer studies showing durable pain reduction over the longer term. So the best-supported statement is that prefabricated foot orthoses can yield short-term pain relief in patients who overpronate. They do not reliably guarantee long-term improvement across all PFPS cases, and they are not without effect in those without pronation issues.