Biomechanics Research to Delay the Progression of Hip Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Hip osteoarthritis is a representative disease with hip pain and decreases the range of joint motion, muscle strength of lower limbs, ability of daily activities, and quality of life. However, no evidences have been established to delay the progression of hip osteoarthritis. We focused on the hip joint moment impulse as a hip joint load during a movement and examined the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during walking and hip moment impulse in the sagittal plane during the sit-to-stand movement. Regarding walking, we noted that the use of a contralateral cane decreased the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane, and a decrease in the walking speed increased the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane. Furthermore, we observed that a decrease in the sit-to-stand movement speed increased the hip moment impulse in the sagittal plane during the sit-to-stand movement. Our results help to understand a gait pattern with a low (or high) hip moment impulse in the frontal plane and a sit-to-stand movement pattern with a low (or high) hip moment impulse in the sagittal plane. Furthermore, our results may be useful to delay the progression of hip osteoarthritis.