Article

Persons with a unilateral, trans-tibial amputation have an increased risk of
developing osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee of their intact limb. Between-side
strength discrepancies observed in individuals with an amputation may indicate
overuse of the intact limb and increased osteoarthritis risk; however, the
relationship between lower extremity strength and gait mechanics has not been
addressed in previous literature. It was hypothesized that amputee subjects'
strength and gait would be more asymmetrical than controls, and that strength
asymmetry would positively correlate with gait variable asymmetry and intact side
gait variables associated with osteoarthritis risk. Eight persons with
unilateral, trans-tibial amputation and eight able-bodied control subjects
participated. Three gait variables related to osteoarthritis risk (knee external
adduction moment, knee adduction moment load rate, and vertical ground reaction
force load rate) were measured bilaterally, along with three strength measures
(hip abductors, knee extensors, and knee flexors). Four of the six variables were
more asymmetrical in the amputee group than the control group (p<0.05 and/or
effect size greater than 0.70). Knee extension strength asymmetry was
significantly related to knee adduction moment load rate asymmetry (rho=0.714),
and knee flexion strength asymmetry was moderately related to the vertical ground
reaction force on the intact limb (rho=0.643). Results suggest that strength
asymmetry in unilateral trans-tibial amputees has a moderate relationship with
osteoarthritis risk, and may be a useful way to assess gait ability and the need
for rehabilitation in this population.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS