Osteoarthritis induces gender-related changes in the knee range of motion.

In time, osteoarthritis (OA) generates the misalignment of the affected joint structures. However, due to the nature of bipedal gait, OA in the lower limb can also cause pathological gait patterns, which can generate instability and falls, with great consequence, especially in the aged population. With goniometry used to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of joints, we wanted to evaluate how gender impacts gait dynamics in OA patients. For this study, we have compared 106 OA patients (74 females and 32 males) to age matched controls. All participants had their right leg as dominant. Video recording of normal gait was analyzed with a digital goniometry tool phone application, and the knee's ROM was measured in midstance and midswing moment of the gait. During midstance, significant extension and flexion of the knee excursion have been observed in both males and females. During midswing, knee OA presents more differences, whereas subjects with hip and knee OA present changes on the dominant knee. Midstance changes suggest that the knee's joint degenerative changes, such as synovitis, can be linked to hip OA secondary changes. Midswing changes in lower limb OA suggest a connection to the activities of daily life. Gender differences generated by OA must furthermore be studied in both lower limbs so that the best therapeutic approach can be chosen.

Hip Joint Abnormalities During Midstance in Osteoarthritic Patients.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most debilitating diseases in Europe affecting the lower limb joints, especially the hip and knee, having a bad influence on gait in the long run as well. Rehabilitation physicians use gait in order for the whole body to be seen in ensemble, and through midstance as moment of gait to also take predilection to falls into consideration. Goniometry is the quantifiable measure of a rehabilitation treatment by measuring the range of motion of each treated joint and studied during time. The patients that volunteered to be part of this study have been divided into four groups, depending on the level of osteoarthritis present at the lower limb joints: hip, knee, both hip and knee osteoarthritis or control group with no osteoarthritis, have been asked to walk for a few times and the video recordings were uploaded into the Angles App where we measured the lower limb joint angles during midstance. Patients with knee osteoarthritis present a more extended hip on both dominant and non-dominant sides compared to the ones with hip osteoarthritis, hip and knee osteoarthritis or control group. The results can be explained through the body's kinematic chains that link the knee and hip, hip and pelvis during the midstance phase in the sagittal plane. A physician can use a video goniometry app in order for him to thoroughly evaluate an osteoarthritic patient as well as follow him or her during the entire course of treatment.

Complexity of Gait Angle Measurements at the Ankle Joint During Midstance in Patients with Osteoarthritis.

The evolution of rehabilitation treatments can be quantified through goniometric measurements. Thus, a video goniometer, and an app-based goniometry program can be both useful and a reliable method of obtaining a data base through which we can see if a certain rehabilitation treatment works out for our patients and during times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, a telemedicine approach can be done. Midstance is a sub-moment of the gait pattern, important in the stability of the lower limb, but that can also direct us towards a patient prone to falls. Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes high disability because of the cellular degradation that also affects normal gait. Four groups of subjects: subjects suffering from hip osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, hip and knee osteoarthritis and control group, have been filmed and recorded their midstance joint range of motion in the Angles App. The dominant limb has been proven to have a more extended ankle in the hip osteoarthritis group, compared to knee osteoarthritis, hip and knee osteoarthritis or control group. Females have presented a more extended ankle, wearing high heels for a long period of time can be the cause of that. Subjects with knee osteoarthritis have presented a more flexed ankle in the dominant limb compared to the ones suffering from hip and knee osteoarthritis or control group. The ankle joint can also have its range of motion measured with a video goniometer, helping us compare results in between sessions of rehabilitation in osteoarthritic patients.