Gait analysis with reference to chondromalacia patellae.

This study analyzed the gait of women exhibiting symptoms of chondromalacia patellae, and compared them with a group of women without chondromalacia symptoms. High speed cinematography was used to film the subjects walking on a level surface and a 15 downhill slope. Flexion of the knee on both surfaces during the single support phase was significantly less for the chondromalacia subjects (P < 0.05). increased external femoral rotation was detected in chondromalacia patellae subjects (P < 0.05) during swing phase on level and sloping surfaces. A radical inward femoral rotation occurred immediately preceding heel strike (P < 0.001). We conclude that significant differences in gait are apparent in females exibiting chondromalacia patellae symptoms as compared with apparently normal female knees.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1983;5(3):127-131.