Article

A significant number of patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) have
described a history of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This leads to
speculation that the underpinning mechanical causes of PFPS and PFOA may be
similar. Although alterations in gait biomechanics and hip strength have been
reported in PFPS, this relationship has not yet been explored in PFOA. Therefore
the purpose of this study was compare gait biomechanics and hip muscular strength
between PFOA patients and a healthy control group. Fifteen patients with
symptomatic, radiographic PFOA and 15 controls participated. All patients
underwent a walking gait analysis and maximal hip strength testing. Biomechanical
variables of interest included the peak angular values of contra-lateral pelvic
drop, hip adduction and hip internal rotation during the stance phase. Hip
abduction and external rotation strength were assessed using maximal voluntary
isometric contractions. The PFOA group demonstrated significantly lower hip
abduction strength compared to controls but no difference in hip external
rotation strength. There were no statistical differences between the PFOA and
control groups for contra-lateral pelvic drop, hip adduction and hip internal
rotation angles during walking. Despite patients with PFOA exhibiting weaker hip
abductor muscle strength compared to their healthy counterparts they did not
demonstrate alterations in pelvis or hip biomechanics during gait. These
preliminary data suggests that weaker hip abductor strength does not result in
biomechanical alterations during gait in this population.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS