[ effect of genu varum deformity on balance control following postural perturbation in adolescent girls]

Despite the fact that balances has often been considered as a measure of lower extremity function, the effect of lower extremity malalignment on balance performance has received little attention. The aim of the present study was to examine postural control following a sudden external perturbation in adolescent girls with genu varum of the knees in comparison to age matched healthy controls. This comparative and interventional study included eight adolescent girls with genu varum [age: 13. 5 +/- 1.4 years] and eight age-matched healthy controls [age: 13.8 +/- 1.3]. The subjects underwent unexpected forward, backward and medio-lateral perturbations triggered by a weight equivalent to 10% of the body weight, of every subject while standing on a foot pressure system mounted on a movable plate. The displacement of the center of pressure [COP] of the feet was measured. Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. p < =0.05 was considered significant. Subjects with genu varum of the knees showed a significantly greater COP displacement after perturbation in comparison to the control group [p=0.039]. Our findings revealed that postural control following balance perturbations is weaker in subjects with genu varum deformity than in control group. Consequently, abnormal lower limb alignment is a risk factor which can influence postural control in response to a balance perturbation

[ effect of knee bracing on plantar pressure variables of healthy females during stance phase of gait]

There is limited information regarding the effects of knee bracing on plantar pressure variables. The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of a supporting patellar brace on plantar pressure variables in healthy females during stance phase of gait 17 women [age: 22.3 +/- 1.31 years] participated in this study. Plantar foot pressure of the subjects was measured by foot scan pressure plate while walking barefoot with and without wearing supporting patellar brace. Dependent t-test was used for data analysis. P 0.05]. The center of pressure displacement [COPx] was more during propulsion phase of gait while using knee brace [P = 0.01]. The results of this study indicated that bracing could influence lower extremity function by delaying peak plantar pressure and consequently provide dynamic stability of the knee joint during stance phase of gait. Further studies are needed to advance our understanding of the effects of bracing on plantar pressure variables during gait