Tibiofemoral Contact Forces in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients During Gait

Description

The presentation begins with an acknowledgment and a disclosure statement. The speaker discusses knee osteoarthritis (OA), emphasizing the need to understand the factors affecting its onset and progression, particularly mechanical loading on the affected leg. Using an OpenSim model, the research aims to estimate tibiofemoral contact forces and their distribution in the medial and lateral compartments during gait.



The study is cross-sectional, involving two groups of 14 participants: one with advanced knee osteoarthritis and one healthy control. Both groups were matched for age and height, with specific BMI criteria applied. Motion analysis assessed their walking over five trials at a self-determined speed, utilizing Vicon cameras and force plates for data collection.



Results show no significant differences in walking speed between groups, suggesting both walked normally within expected ranges. However, the OA group displayed significantly lower peak contact forces in the medial compartment and higher total contact forces during the stance phase.



Discussion reveals OA patients may employ a gait strategy that reduces loading in the medial compartment while exhibiting increased total loading on the affected limb. The study concludes that despite similar overall tibiofemoral contact forces, OA patients have reduced force in the medial compartment and higher sustained loading during gait, linked potentially to pain and altered gait strategies. The speaker thanks the audience before concluding the session.

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