Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic characteristics of compensatory backward descending movement performed by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.MethodsUsing a three-dimensional motion analysis system, we investigated lower extremity joint angles, joint moments, joint force of the support leg in forward and backward descending movements on stairs, and joint force of the leading leg at landing in 7 female patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.ResultsCompared with the forward descending movement, knee joint angle, joint moment and joint force of the support leg all decreased in the backward descending movement. Joint force of the leading leg at landing was also reduced in the backward descending movement. In addition, we confirmed that the center of body mass was mainly controlled by the knee and ankle joints in the forward descending movement, and by the hip joint in the backward descending movement.ConclusionsSince it has been reported that knee flexion angle and extensor muscle strength are decreased in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, we believe that backward descending movement is an effective method to use the hip joint to compensate for these functional defects. In addition, due to the decreased knee joint force both in the leading and support legs in backward descending movement, the effectiveness of compensatory motion for pain control and knee joint protection was also suggested.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic characteristics of compensatory backward descending movement performed by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee
Focusing on the backward descending movement, which is a compensatory movement for pain control and knee joint protection employed by OA patients, we previously investigated the mechanics of this movement in healthy subjects and confirmed that control of the body mass was mainly done by the knee and ankle joints in the forward descending movement and by the hip joint in the backward descending movement with a decrease in knee joint flexion angle and joint moment [6,7]
Kinematic and kinetic factors Detailed results are shown in additional files 1 and 2 for angle and moment, respectively, in forward descending (FD) and backward descending (BD) movements at the different riser heights
Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic characteristics of compensatory backward descending movement performed by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The two-feet-onestep descending stairs method using the affected side as the leading leg is frequently recommended in order to relieve stress on knee joints. Since both lower extremity involvement is common in OA patients, it is important to take into consideration protection of the knee joint on the support leg side as well as the burden of the leading leg. Focusing on the backward descending movement, which is a compensatory movement for pain control and knee joint protection employed by OA patients, we previously investigated the mechanics of this movement in healthy subjects and confirmed that control of the body mass was mainly done by the knee and ankle joints in the forward descending movement and by the hip joint in the backward descending movement with a decrease in knee joint flexion angle and joint moment [6,7]
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