Gait differs between unilateral and bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomechanics
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease affecting millions.
• Knee OA pain significantly impacts mobility and quality of life.
• Understanding walking biomechanics in OA is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare walking biomechanics between legs in individuals with varying degrees of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain.
• To investigate asymmetries in gait patterns associated with unilateral versus bilateral knee OA pain.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 91 participants with medial tibiofemoral OA and 31 asymptomatic controls.
• 3D gait analysis was used to measure parameters like knee adduction moment, flexion angles, and trunk lean during walking.
• Analysis focused on comparing biomechanics in the most painful leg and between legs across different OA and pain groups.

Main Results:

• All OA groups exhibited greater trunk lean towards the painful knee and reduced knee flexion compared to controls.
• Individuals with unilateral pain (and unilateral or bilateral OA) showed between-knee asymmetries in varus angle and knee flexion moment.
• Knee biomechanics were symmetrical in individuals with bilateral OA pain and in the asymptomatic control group.

Conclusions:

• Unilateral knee OA pain is associated with distinct asymmetries in walking biomechanics.
• Bilateral knee OA pain, conversely, is linked to symmetrical gait patterns.
• Symptomatic status of both knees is critical for tailoring biomechanical interventions in medial knee OA.