Three-dimensional kinematics of the lower limbs in hip osteoarthritis during walking

Objective: To describe the kinematic adaptations of all lower limb joints in hip osteoarthritis patients during walking.

Methods: Patients with unilateral primary hip OA, without associated joint disorders were included. Normal subjects were included as controls. Gait analysis, using a 3-dimensional computerised gait analysis system was used to evaluate the usual spatiotemporal parameters, the peak motion of the hips, knees, and ankles during walking, and the intersegmental coordination of the lower limbs.

Results: Eleven patients, mean age =60.5 ± 7 years and nine controls, mean age=60.3 ± 7 years, were included. The gait of hip OA patients was characterised as follows: a reduced stride length, a reduced maximal flexion and extension in the OA hip, a reduced maximal contralateral hip range of motion, an increased ipsi- and contralateral ankle dorsal flexion, a decreased ipsilateral relative temporal phase between the thighs and shanks segments and an increased ipsilateral relative phase between the shanks and foot segments.

Conclusion: The present results suggest that hip OA patients use shorter stride length, less contra lateral and especially ipsilateral hip motion, modify ankles motion, and have a different intra-limb coordination pattern compared to control subjects.