M J Booij1, R Richards2, J Harlaar3, J C van den Noort4. 1. Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.booij@amsterdamumc.nl. 2. Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 3. Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Delft University of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft, the Netherlands. 4. Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Musculoskeletal Imaging Quantification Center (MIQC), Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate muscle activation patterns and co-contraction around the knee in response to walking with modified gait patterns in patients with medial compartment knee-osteoarthritis (KOA). DESIGN: 40 medial KOA patients walked on an instrumented treadmill. Surface EMG activity from seven knee-spanning muscles (gastrocnemius, hamstrings, quadriceps), kinematics, and ground reaction forces were recorded. Patients received real-time visual feedback on target kinematics to modify their gait pattern towards three different gait modifications: Toe-in, Wider steps, Medial Thrust. The individualized feedback aimed to reduce their first peak knee adduction moment (KAM) by ≥10%. Changes in muscle activations and medial/lateral co-contraction index during the loading response phase (10-35% of the gait cycle) were evaluated, for the steps in which ≥10% KAM reduction was achieved. RESULTS: Data from 30 patients were included in the analyses; i.e. all who could successfully reduce their KAM in a sufficient number of steps by ≥10%. When walking with ≥10% KAM reduction, Medial Thrust gait (KAM -31%) showed increased flexor activation (24%), co-contraction (17%) and knee flexion moment (35%). Isolated wider-step gait also reduced the KAM (-26%), but to a smaller extent, but without increasing muscle activation amplitudes and co-contraction. Toe-in gait showed the greatest reduction in the KAM (-35%), but was accompanied by an increased flexor activation of 42% and hence an increased co-contraction index. CONCLUSION: Gait modifications that are most effective in reducing the KAM also yield an increase in co-contraction, thereby compromising at least part of the effects on net knee load.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate muscle activation patterns and co-contraction around the knee in response to walking with modified gait patterns in patients with medial compartment knee-osteoarthritis (KOA). DESIGN: 40 medial KOApatients walked on an instrumented treadmill. Surface EMG activity from seven knee-spanning muscles (gastrocnemius, hamstrings, quadriceps), kinematics, and ground reaction forces were recorded. Patients received real-time visual feedback on target kinematics to modify their gait pattern towards three different gait modifications: Toe-in, Wider steps, Medial Thrust. The individualized feedback aimed to reduce their first peak knee adduction moment (KAM) by ≥10%. Changes in muscle activations and medial/lateral co-contraction index during the loading response phase (10-35% of the gait cycle) were evaluated, for the steps in which ≥10% KAM reduction was achieved. RESULTS: Data from 30 patients were included in the analyses; i.e. all who could successfully reduce their KAM in a sufficient number of steps by ≥10%. When walking with ≥10% KAM reduction, Medial Thrust gait (KAM -31%) showed increased flexor activation (24%), co-contraction (17%) and knee flexion moment (35%). Isolated wider-step gait also reduced the KAM (-26%), but to a smaller extent, but without increasing muscle activation amplitudes and co-contraction. Toe-in gait showed the greatest reduction in the KAM (-35%), but was accompanied by an increased flexor activation of 42% and hence an increased co-contraction index. CONCLUSION: Gait modifications that are most effective in reducing the KAM also yield an increase in co-contraction, thereby compromising at least part of the effects on net knee load.
Authors: M Denika C Silva; Diana M Perriman; Angela M Fearon; Daniel Tait; Trevor J Spencer; Dianne Walton-Sonda; Milena Simic; Rana S Hinman; Kim L Bennell; Jennie M Scarvell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-21 Impact factor: 3.752
Authors: Daniel Borges Pereira; Tatiane Silva de Souza; Carolina Tayama Fuzinato; Rodrigo Jugue Hagihara; Ana Paula Ribeiro Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-09-20 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Stephen J Preece; Nathan Brookes; Anita E Williams; Richard K Jones; Chelsea Starbuck; Anthony Jones; Nicola E Walsh Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2021-06-08 Impact factor: 2.362