Obstacle crossing in older adults with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis
Journal
Gait and Posture
Journal Volume
26
Journal Issue
4
Pages
553-559
Date Issued
2007-10
Author(s)
Abstract
This study investigated the biomechanical strategy adopted by older adults with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis for successful obstacle crossing. Fifteen older adults with bilateral medial compartment knee OA and 15 healthy controls were recruited to walk and cross obstacles of heights of 10%, 20% and 30% of their leg lengths. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system and forceplates. The groups had comparable walking speeds, toe clearances and horizontal foot-obstacle distances (p > 0.05). When the swing toe was above the obstacle, the OA group showed smaller swing knee flexion (p = 0.01) and stance hip adduction (p = 0.003) and internal rotation (p = 0.04). They showed greater swing ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.04) as well as swing-side pelvic listing (p = 0.006) and backward rotation (p = 0.02). They also exhibited greater peak knee abductor moments (p = 0.02) during early stance while adopting similar knee abductor moments (p = 0.04) and greater hip abductor moments (p = 0.04) when the leading toe was above the obstacle and thereafter. Smaller knee extensor (p < 0.004), yet greater hip extensor moments (p < 0.04), were found in the OA group throughout the stance phase. People with medial compartment knee OA had acquired different biomechanical strategies to compensate for the compromised function of the diseased knee. ? 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Gait
Joint kinematics
Joint kinetics
Knee osteoarthritis
Lower limb
Obstacle crossing
SDGs
Other Subjects
adduction; aged; article; biomechanics; clinical article; controlled study; extensor muscle; female; gait; human; joint function; joint mobility; kinematics; knee; knee osteoarthritis; male; muscle function; priority journal; walking; Accidental Falls; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Biomechanics; Case-Control Studies; Female; Gait; Humans; Lower Extremity; Male; Osteoarthritis, Knee
Type
journal article