Balance control and lower limb joint work in children with bilateral genu valgum during level walking

Genu valgum results in lower limb malalignment and altered joint mechanics. The study aimed to identify the effects of genu valgum on balance control and muscular work at the joints during gait in children.

Would bilateral genu valgum affect balance control and muscular work at the joints during gait in children?

Thirteen children with genu valgum and thirteen healthy peers walked at their preferred speed while the body's motions and ground reaction forces were measured to calculate the inclination angles (IA) and the rates of change of IA (RCIA) of the body's center of mass (COM) relative to the center of pressure (COP), as well as the muscular work done at the joints. An independent t-test was used to compare the variables between groups (α = 0.05).

Compared to the controls, the patients showed significantly increased step width with altered frontal IA and RCIA variables (p < 0.05), including increased average IA over single-limb support and increased peak RCIA during double-limb support (p < 0.05). The patients significantly increased posterior RCIA at heel-strike but decreased anterior RCIA at toe-off (p < 0.05). The patients showed increased muscular work at both the hip and knee during single-limb support (p < 0.05).

The children with genu valgum showed a specific balance control strategy during gait. In the frontal plane, greater hip and knee muscular work was needed to maintain balance under an increased IA, likely owing to increased step width associated with the valgus alignment. In the sagittal plane, less smooth and less stable COM-COP control with increased RCIA at the key gait events indicates faster weight transfer between double-limb and single-limb support. It is suggested that patients with genu valgum, especially in more severe cases, should be monitored for signs of decreased ability and/or muscular strength in maintaining balance during gait.