OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possession and use of walking aids among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to identify factors contributing to possession and actual use of these aids METHODS: A random sample of 90 patients with OA was derived from a database of 3,500 registered patients. A total of 80 (88.8%) patients with OA completed a questionnaire on possession and use of walking aids. Demographics, disease-related characteristics, and information about possession and use were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which factors are associated with the possession and use of walking aids. RESULTS: Sixty (75%) of the OA patients owned a walking aid. Canes, forearm crutches and walkers were most frequently possessed. Age, frequency of pain, and disability were associated with possessing a walking aid. Of the sixty patients that possess walking aid 25 (41.7%) of them are active walking aid users while the remaining 58.3% are non users. Factors associated with the actual use of an aid included higher age, a high intensity of pain, more disability, decrease in morning stiffness by the aid, and a positive evaluation of the aid CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients with OA possess a walking aid. Disability, pain, and age-related impairments seem to determine the need for a walking aid. Nonuse is associated with less need, negative outcome, and negative evaluation of the walking
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possession and use of walking aids among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to identify factors contributing to possession and actual use of these aids METHODS: A random sample of 90 patients with OA was derived from a database of 3,500 registered patients. A total of 80 (88.8%) patients with OA completed a questionnaire on possession and use of walking aids. Demographics, disease-related characteristics, and information about possession and use were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which factors are associated with the possession and use of walking aids. RESULTS: Sixty (75%) of the OA patients owned a walking aid. Canes, forearm crutches and walkers were most frequently possessed. Age, frequency of pain, and disability were associated with possessing a walking aid. Of the sixty patients that possess walking aid 25 (41.7%) of them are active walking aid users while the remaining 58.3% are non users. Factors associated with the actual use of an aid included higher age, a high intensity of pain, more disability, decrease in morning stiffness by the aid, and a positive evaluation of the aid CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients with OA possess a walking aid. Disability, pain, and age-related impairments seem to determine the need for a walking aid. Nonuse is associated with less need, negative outcome, and negative evaluation of the walking