Annalisa Na1, Sara R Piva2, Thomas S Buchanan3. 1. Delaware Rehabilitation Institute, University of Delaware,(1) 540 South College Ave, Newark, DE 19713, United States; Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, 301 University Blvd. Route 0165, Rebecca Sealy 2.804, Galveston, TX 77555, United States. Electronic address: anna@utmb.edu. 2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Bridgeside Point 1, 100 Technology Drive, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130, United States. Electronic address: spiva@pitt.edu. 3. Delaware Rehabilitation Institute, University of Delaware,(1) 540 South College Ave, Newark, DE 19713, United States. Electronic address: buchanan@udel.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-reported walking difficulty is a problem among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), however, these patients have never been studied as a subgroup population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine known knee OA gait mechanics among those with knee OA, with (Diff) and without (NoDiff) self-reported walking difficulty, as compared to age- and sex-matched controls without knee OA. METHODS: A total of 39 subjects in three groups of 13 individuals walked at a controlled gait speed during instrumented gait analysis. Gait mechanics were compared between a priori determined groups using the independent t-test. RESULTS: The results of the study found that among those with knee OA, knee excursion angles were not significantly different between the Diff and NoDiff groups. Whereas, external knee moments were significantly different between the Diff and NoDiff groups but not between the NoDiff and the control groups. The lack of difference between the NoDiff and control groups were especially interesting because of the moderate to severe OA in the NoDiff group. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest the importance of considering self-reported walking difficulty among those with knee OA. Perhaps patients with knee OA-related walking difficulties use alternative gait parameters that may need to be clinically addressed. Strengths of the study included a matched design and controlled walking speed, whereas limitations were the small sample size and cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: Given the relationships found among self-reported walking difficulty, OA presence, and gait parameters, addressing gait parameters specifically related to walking difficulty may be indicated in this sub-group knee OA population.
BACKGROUND: Self-reported walking difficulty is a problem among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), however, these patients have never been studied as a subgroup population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine known knee OA gait mechanics among those with knee OA, with (Diff) and without (NoDiff) self-reported walking difficulty, as compared to age- and sex-matched controls without knee OA. METHODS: A total of 39 subjects in three groups of 13 individuals walked at a controlled gait speed during instrumented gait analysis. Gait mechanics were compared between a priori determined groups using the independent t-test. RESULTS: The results of the study found that among those with knee OA, knee excursion angles were not significantly different between the Diff and NoDiff groups. Whereas, external knee moments were significantly different between the Diff and NoDiff groups but not between the NoDiff and the control groups. The lack of difference between the NoDiff and control groups were especially interesting because of the moderate to severe OA in the NoDiff group. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest the importance of considering self-reported walking difficulty among those with knee OA. Perhaps patients with knee OA-related walking difficulties use alternative gait parameters that may need to be clinically addressed. Strengths of the study included a matched design and controlled walking speed, whereas limitations were the small sample size and cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: Given the relationships found among self-reported walking difficulty, OA presence, and gait parameters, addressing gait parameters specifically related to walking difficulty may be indicated in this sub-group knee OA population.
Authors: Arturo González-Olguín; Diego Ramos Rodríguez; Francisco Higueras Córdoba; Luis Martínez Rebolledo; Carla Taramasco; Diego Robles Cruz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-08 Impact factor: 4.614