Objective

The aim was to analyze the gait of knee osteoarthritis patients before osteotomy.

Material/patients and methods

Twenty-four patients aged 52.4 years ± 6.8, 15 M/9 F, were comparatively analyzed to 24 matched controls. Deficiencies and disabilities were evaluated by means of: numeric pain scale, Lysholm, Koos and Womac and SF-36 scores. They were also asked to estimate their self-perception of gait on a 4-level scale. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were also measured at comfortable speed, using an optical system (otpogait).

Results

Disabilities were attested by the following data: numeric pain scale of pain 5.7 ± 2.2/10, Lysholm score 58%, SF-36 physical score 31.8%, SF-36 mental score 53.2%, Womac score 46.5/96. As compared to controls, patients perceived their gait alteration ( P < 10 ⁻³ ), and walked slower ( P = 10 ⁻³ ), with shorter single support time on affected ( P < 10 ⁻⁴ ) and unaffected ( P < 10 ⁻³ ) sides, longer double support time ( P < 10 ⁻⁴ ), and shorter step length for both sides ( P < 10 ⁻³ ).

Discussion–conclusion

The assessments describe and quantify the limitation of gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and provide objective data to be compared with those after osteotomy.