Three-dimensional pattern of knee movement in patients with gonarthrosis.

BACKGROUND The main goal of this study was to estimate the variability of gait parameters in patients diagnosed with arthroplasty of the knee joint. Angular changes of the knee joint in three planes, and spatio-temporal parameters of gait were analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS A three-dimensional analysis of locomotion patterns was carried out using the Vicon 250 system in 33 patients aged 48-74. RESULTS The most significant biomechanical deviations from the norm were revealed in the transverse and horizontal planes. Walking speed was visibly decreased, leading to noticeable changes in other spatio-temporal parameters. CONCLUSION 1. Degenerative disease of the knee joints markedly affects the normal gait pattern, resulting in deviations from the biomechanical norm with regard to angular change in the knee joints in the three planes of movement. 2. The abnormal locomotion pattern was most evident in the frontal and transverse planes. 3. Gonarthrosis also changed the values of particular spatio-temporal parameters. 4. Statistical analysis revealed significant (p<0.05) differences from the biomechanical norm in variables determined in the frontal and transverse planes, and in the sagittal plane in the group with a varus knee deformity.