Three-dimensional analysis of gait in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density

There's lack in the literature respecting changes in the trunk and hip angles, and power profile of the lower extremities in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aimed to examine gait characteristics of that population, and find out which characteristics may be predictors to BMD. This may provide suitable interventions for subjects with osteoporosis.

Seventeen healthy postmenopausal women and seventeen with low BMD engaged in this study. Dual X-ray Absorbiometry measured BMD at lumber (L2-4) and femoral neck. Qualysis gait analysis system assessed the gait pattern of each subject.

Compared to healthy peers, women with low BMD showed less trunk rotation (p = 0.02), hip adduction (p = 0.005) and extension moments (p = 0.008). They showed less hip power generation during early stance (H1S) (p = 0.000), and swing phase (H3S) (p = 0.005), and less hip power absorption (H2S) (p = 0.005). They also, showed less knee power absorption during terminal swing (K4S) (p = 0.002), and ankle power generation at push off (A2S) (p = 0.000). The ability of the gait variables to discriminate between subjects with or without osteopenia was (0.72%, p = 0.016) for trunk rotation, (78%, p = 0.0004) for hip adductor moment, (76%, p = 0.0013) for hip extensor moment, (87%, p < 0.0001) for H1S, (79%, p = 0.0001) for H2S, (77%, p = 0.0008) H3S, (81%, p = 0.0001) for K4S, and (93%, p < 0.0001) for A2S.

Less power generation at the hip and ankle as well as, less power absorption at the hip and knee, may suggest that postmenopausal women with low BMD showed less propulsion, and stability during walking. Trunk rotation, hip adduction and extension moments, H1S, H2S, H3S, K4S, and A2S are significant predictors for low bone mass in the postmenopausal women.