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Correlation between single limb support phase and self-evaluation questionnaires in knee osteoarthritis populations
Ronen Debi1, Amit Mor, Ganit Segal
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. debbi.ronen@gmail.com
Disability and Rehabilitation
|January 7, 2011
Summary
Single limb support (SLS) during gait is a stronger indicator of knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity than radiographic scores. This objective measure correlates better with pain and function, aiding in comprehensive knee OA evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts patient quality of life.
- Assessing OA severity often relies on subjective patient-reported outcomes and radiographic grading.
- Objective gait parameters may offer a more sensitive measure of OA impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between single limb support (SLS) phase (% of gait cycle) and patient-reported outcomes using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).
- To compare the strength of correlation between SLS and radiographic scores (Kellgren & Lawrence) with patient-reported outcomes in knee OA.
- To evaluate the clinical utility of SLS as an objective measure in knee OA assessment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 125 adults with symptomatic medial compartment knee OA.
- Gait parameters including velocity, step length, and SLS were measured using a GAITRite computerized mat.
- Patients completed validated questionnaires: WOMAC and SF-36 Health Survey.
Main Results:
- Single limb support (SLS) showed significantly stronger correlations with WOMAC pain and function scores, and SF-36 pain sub-category, compared to Kellgren & Lawrence (K&L) radiographic scores.
- SLS also demonstrated stronger correlations with gait velocity and step length than K&L scores.
- Significant differences in SLS were observed across quartiles of WOMAC pain, WOMAC function, and SF-36 overall score, indicating its sensitivity to disease severity.
Conclusions:
- Single limb support (SLS) is a more sensitive objective gait parameter for assessing knee OA severity than traditional radiographic measures.
- Integrating SLS into clinical practice can enhance the comprehensive evaluation of patients with knee OA.
- SLS provides valuable objective data that complements subjective patient reports and radiographic findings.
