Reduction in knee adduction moment via non-invasive biomechanical training: A longitudinal gait analysis study

Amir Haim*, Guy Rubin, Nimrod Rozen, Yulya Goryachev, Alon Wolf

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biomechanical non-invasive interventions have been previously reported to reduce pain and facilitate superior levels of function in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis [OA]. One such treatment is the AposTherapy, a customized program utilizing a foot-worn biomechanical device allowing center of pressure modification and continuous perturbation during gait. The influence of this intervention on objective gait metrics has yet to be determined. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine changes in kinetic and kinematic parameters in patients enrolled in this treatment program. Twenty-five females with symptomatic bilateral medial compartment knee OA were enrolled in the customized daily treatment program. All patients underwent barefoot gait analysis testing and completed subjective questionnaires prior to treatment initiation and on two follow-up visits. Significantly reduced knee adduction moment (KAM) magnitude was noted during barefoot walking after three and nine months of treatment. On average, the knee adduction impulse and the 1st and 2nd KAM peaks were reduced by 13%, 8.4%, and 12.7%, respectively. Furthermore, moment reduction was accompanied by elevated walking velocity, significant pain reduction, and increased functional activity. In addition to symptomatic improvement, our results suggest that this treatment program can alter kinetic gait parameters in this population. We speculate that these adaptations account for the symptomatic and functional improvement reported for this intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-45
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Biomechanics
Volume45
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 3 Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AposTherapy
  • Footwear-generated biomechanical training
  • Gait analysis
  • Knee adduction moment
  • Knee osteoarthritis
  • Plasticity of gait patterns

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