The effects of unilateral knee immobilization on lower extremity gait mechanics

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of knee immobilization on uninvolved lower extremity joints during gait. Video and force platform data were collected for seven subjects walking normally (N) and with the knee fixed at three flexion angles: 0 degrees (B00), 10 degrees (B10), and 20 degrees (B20). A bilateral, sagittal plane link-segment model was used to determine lower limb kinematic and kinetic measures. Mean data from three normal and five braced gait trials were compared using one-way repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05). Significant increases in involved limb (IL) ankle generation work (J.kg-1) during propulsion were evident: (N = 0.249, B00 = 0.295, B10 = 0.293, B20 = 0.308). There were significant increases in peak IL hip power (W.kg-1) in early stance (N = 0.638, B00 = 1.056, B10 = 1.018, B20 = 1.097) and in IL hip absorption work (J.kg-1) during late stance (N = 0.049, B00 = 0.080, B10 = 0.082, B20 = 0.079). The hip of the uninvolved limb (UL) displayed significant increases in generation work (J.kg-1) in early stance (N = 0.089, B00 = 0.183, B10 = 0.149, B20 = 0.179). Normal kinematic and kinetic patterns of other joints were changed with knee immobilization. The major effects were increases in the magnitude of IL peak hip and ankle joint kinetic measures. Fixing the knee in 10 degrees of flexion resulted in the fewest significant changes in normal gait mechanics.