Knee contact forces of individuals with osteoarthritis and those with lower limb amputation: A systematic review.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of impairment. Research has shown that individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation (ULLA) are 17 times more likely to develop OA on their sound side limb. Therefore, this review aimed to describe similarities and differences in the biomechanical loading variables of individuals with OA and those with ULLA. Researchers systematically searched PubMed-Medline, EBSCOhost and Web of Science for articles published between January 1990 and February 2022. Included studies investigated the biomechanical profiles (peak external knee adduction moment (KAM); peak external knee flexion moment (KFM); ground reaction force; external knee adduction moment loading rate; external knee adduction moment impulse) of both population groups. A total of 31 articles were included in this review. Only KAM and KFM presented similar profiles in both groups, whilst all other variables were dissimilar. The use of advanced prostheses reduced the loading on the sound side of individuals with ULLA. As both KAM and KFM are surrogate measures for knee contact forces, interventions need to target these variables to help manage and prevent the development of OA. Interventions, particularly for addressing these variables in individuals with ULLA, should be further investigated in future research.