Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide, and knee is the second most affected site. Knee osteoarthritis is characterized by knee pain, loss of motion, disability, and muscle weakness, all factors contributing to gait alterations, and impacting greatly the patients quality of life. In the absence of curative treatment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological symptomatic treatments are prescribed to maintain this QoL, and therefore delay surgery to more appropriate window of opportunity later in life. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of three braces, using different unloading strategies, on gait kinematic and kinetic parameters, as well as pain in patients with medial knee ostoeoarthritis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
13
Participants underwent one session of gait analysis. The experimental protocol was divided in four conditions, the control condition without brace (NO), and then three conditions with the different braces tested in a randomized order. For each condition, the participant was fitted with the brace by the same experimenter and equipped with 19/20 retro-reflective markers (without/with brace) on the pelvis and the investigated leg for motion analysis. After a short recording in a fixed standing position (static trial), each participant carried out at least three barefoot walking trials of a few meters long at a self-selected pace. The walking trial was validated if a complete gait cycle occurred on the two 90cm x 90 cm force plates recording the ground reaction forces. After each condition, the participant had to assess knee pain.
Rebel Reliever (RR) (Thuasne, Levallois Perret, France)
Action Reliever (AR) (Thuasne, Levallois Perret, France)
Saint-Etienne Jean Monnet University
Saint-Etienne, France
Knee Adduction Moment
Main parameter determined from the force platforms: \- Position of the center of gravity By coupling the techniques of kinematic measurement and ground reaction force, we obtain the Moment of Adduction (or KAM) when walking
Time frame: Day : 1
Knee Adduction Moment
Main parameter determined from the force platforms: \- Impact force and vertical propulsive force. By coupling the techniques of kinematic measurement and ground reaction force, we obtain the Moment of Adduction (or KAM) when walking
Time frame: Day : 1
Perceived pain
The pain is self-assessed by the patient using a visual analogue scale graduated from 0 to 10: the analogue scale is presented to the patients, who will mark the level of pain felt during the works under each of the study conditions.
Time frame: Day: 1
Adduction/abduction angles
Adduction/abduction angles (in particular A1 and A2, corresponding to the two vertical GRF maxima, as well as the adduction angle during standing (A0)), were measured (deg) under each condition.
Time frame: Day: 1
Impact and propulsive reaction force of the ground
The impact force and the propulsive reaction force of the ground (N / kg) were measured during walking under each condition. F1 corresponds to the load response peak and F2 to the terminal stance peak during gait,
Time frame: Day: 1
Step length
The length of the step (m) was measured during walking under each condition.
Time frame: Day: 1
Walking speed
The walking distance (km/h) was measured during walking under each condition.
Time frame: Day: 1
Satisfaction related to the device
A satisfaction survey is filled by the patient in order to assess the positioning of unloading brace, comfort, esthetic and global satisfaction of devices
Time frame: Day: 1
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