Reduction of Knee Adduction Moment and Lateral Joint Reaction Force of Knee Osteoarthritis Patients by Simulation Analysis

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to perform simulation analysis to assess the gait modification required to reduce mechanical stress on the knee joint. [Participants and Methods] The gait of 9 women with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint was assessed using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system and 4 force plates. Simulation analysis was performed after 20% reduction in the lateral ground reaction force using musculoskeletal modeling software. Knee adduction moment (KAM) and lateral joint reaction force (LJRF) were compared before and after analysis, and the reduction rates of KAM and LJRF and other parameters were compared using the Spearman-Rho correlation coefficient. [Results] After simulation analysis, KAM was reduced by 6.3% and LJRF by 15.9%. The reduction rate for KAM negatively correlated with the knee joint varus angle during gait. [Conclusion] The results suggest that simulation analysis could be useful for elucidating the mechanisms associated with decreases in KAM and LJRF, and could be used for walking guidance in clinical practice for patients with knee OA.