Trunk lean gait modification and knee joint load in people with medial knee osteoarthritis: The effect of varying trunk lean angles

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate whether increased lateral trunk lean toward the symptomatic lower extremity during gait in people with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) immediately alters symptoms or medial knee load, as measured by the external knee adduction moment (KAM). Methods. Participants with medial knee OA (n = 22) underwent 3-dimensional gait analysis to measure KAM peaks (early and late stance) and KAM impulse. Following the analysis of natural gait, participants were trained to lean their trunk toward the symptomatic leg during ipsilateral stance over 3 randomly ordered conditions (6°, 9°, and 12° lean). A projection screen displayed real-time trunk angles and target levels. Pain/discomfort..