Effect of Mild and Severe Unilateral Knee Joint Pain on Gait in Elderly Females

Hiroki Sugiura,Shinichi Demura

doi:10.1155/2014/820428

Hiroki Sugiura, Shinichi Demura

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/820428

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Abstract

Gait change in the elderly may be a strategy to maintain postural stability while walking. However, gait laterality is accompanied by back pain or an increased risk of a fall. This study aimed to examine group-related differences and gait laterality in elderly females with mild or severe unilateral knee pain. Seventy-five elderly females (66–87 years old) were included, which comprised the following groups: 47 with mild unilateral knee pain and 28 with severe unilateral knee pain. They completed a 12 m walk test with maximum effort. Stance time, swing time, and step length were selected as evaluation parameters. A two-way ANOVA (group×leg) was used for analysis. No significant differences were found in interaction or in either main factor of the group and leg. In conclusion, elderly females do not show group-related differences or gait laterality regardless of the degree (mild or severe) of unilateral knee pain.

Highlights

Walking is the most basic movement in daily life [1]
The elderly with mild knee pains who do not require regular visits are considered to be an auxiliary group of the severe knee pain group [8, 9]
This study aimed to examine group-related differences and gait laterality among elderly females with mild or with severe unilateral knee pain

Summary

Introduction

Walking is the most basic movement in daily life [1]. In old age, walking can be greatly affected by a marked decline in physical functions such as leg strength, balance, and leg joints. Arthritis-associated knee joint pain affects locomotion in the elderly, the female elderly. They have difficulty in walking or standing up [5, 6]. The elderly with mild knee pains who do not require regular visits are considered to be an auxiliary group of the severe knee pain group [8, 9]. This subset accounts for approximately 20% of the elderly [10,11,12]. Astephen et al [13] and Sugiura and Demura [14] examined the effect of the degree of knee pain on gait and reported that the elderly with severe knee pain have inferior walking ability compared to those with mild knee pain

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