Shawn Farrokhi1, Carrie A Voycheck2, Brian A Klatt3, Jonathan A Gustafson4, Scott Tashman5, G Kelley Fitzgerald6. 1. Human Movement Research Laboratory, Departments of Physical Therapy & Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Electronic address: Farrokhi@pitt.edu. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 3. Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 4. Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 5. Biodynamics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 6. Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Clinical and Translational Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To evaluate knee joint contact mechanics and kinematics during the loading response phase of downhill gait in knee osteoarthritis patients with self-reported instability. METHODS: Forty-three subjects, 11 with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and self-reported instability (unstable), 7 with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis but no reports of instability (stable), and 25 without knee osteoarthritis or instability (control) underwent Dynamic Stereo X-ray analysis during a downhill gait task on a treadmill. FINDINGS: The medial compartment contact point excursions were longer in the unstable group compared to the stable (P=0.046) and the control groups (P=0.016). The peak medial compartment contact point velocity was also greater for the unstable group compared to the stable (P=0.047) and control groups (P=0.022). Additionally, the unstable group demonstrated a coupled movement pattern of knee extension and external rotation after heel contact which was different than the coupled motion of knee flexion and internal rotation demonstrated by stable and control groups. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that knee joint contact mechanics and kinematics are altered during the loading response phase of downhill gait in knee osteoarthritis patients with self-reported instability. The observed longer medial compartment contact point excursions and higher velocities represent objective signs of mechanical instability that may place the arthritic knee joint at increased risk for disease progression. Further research is indicated to explore the clinical relevance of altered contact mechanics and kinematics during other common daily activities and to assess the efficacy of rehabilitation programs to improve altered joint biomechanics in knee osteoarthritis patients with self-reported instability.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate knee joint contact mechanics and kinematics during the loading response phase of downhill gait in knee osteoarthritispatients with self-reported instability. METHODS: Forty-three subjects, 11 with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and self-reported instability (unstable), 7 with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis but no reports of instability (stable), and 25 without knee osteoarthritis or instability (control) underwent Dynamic Stereo X-ray analysis during a downhill gait task on a treadmill. FINDINGS: The medial compartment contact point excursions were longer in the unstable group compared to the stable (P=0.046) and the control groups (P=0.016). The peak medial compartment contact point velocity was also greater for the unstable group compared to the stable (P=0.047) and control groups (P=0.022). Additionally, the unstable group demonstrated a coupled movement pattern of knee extension and external rotation after heel contact which was different than the coupled motion of knee flexion and internal rotation demonstrated by stable and control groups. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that knee joint contact mechanics and kinematics are altered during the loading response phase of downhill gait in knee osteoarthritispatients with self-reported instability. The observed longer medial compartment contact point excursions and higher velocities represent objective signs of mechanical instability that may place the arthritic knee joint at increased risk for disease progression. Further research is indicated to explore the clinical relevance of altered contact mechanics and kinematics during other common daily activities and to assess the efficacy of rehabilitation programs to improve altered joint biomechanics in knee osteoarthritispatients with self-reported instability.
Authors: Shawn Farrokhi; Scott Tashman; Alexandra B Gil; Brian A Klatt; G Kelley Fitzgerald Journal: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) Date: 2011-11-08 Impact factor: 2.063
Authors: M van der Esch; M Steultjens; J Harlaar; N Wolterbeek; D L Knol; J Dekker Journal: Osteoarthritis Cartilage Date: 2007-09-24 Impact factor: 6.576
Authors: Mark W Creaby; Tim V Wrigley; Boon-Whatt Lim; Rana S Hinman; Adam L Bryant; Kim L Bennell Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2013-11-20 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: Jonathan A Gustafson; Megan E Robinson; G Kelley Fitzgerald; Scott Tashman; Shawn Farrokhi Journal: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) Date: 2015-03-10 Impact factor: 2.063
Authors: Shawn Farrokhi; Carrie A Voycheck; Jonathan A Gustafson; G Kelley Fitzgerald; Scott Tashman Journal: Knee Date: 2015-08-29 Impact factor: 2.199