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Pelvic movement strategies and leg extension power in patients with end-stage medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

During movement tasks, patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis use compensatory strategies to minimise the joint load of the affected leg. Movement strategies of the knees and trunk have been investigated, but less is known about movement strategies of the pelvis during advancing functional tasks, and how these strategies are associated with leg extension power. The aim of the study was to investigate pelvic movement strategies and leg extension power in patients with end-stage medial compartment knee osteoarthritis compared with controls.

Materials and methods

57 patients (mean age 65.6 years) scheduled for medial uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty, and 29 age and gender matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Leg extension power was tested with the Nottingham Leg Extension Power-Rig. Pelvic range of motion was derived from an inertia-based measurement unit placed over the sacrum bone during walking, stair climbing and stepping.

Results

Patients had lower leg extension power than controls (20–39 %, P < 0.01) and used greater pelvic range of motion during stair and step ascending and descending (P ≤ 0.03, except for pelvic range of motion in the frontal plane during ascending, P > 0.06). Furthermore, an inverse association (coefficient: −0.03 to −0.04; R 2 = 13–22 %) between leg extension power and pelvic range of motion during stair and step descending was found in the patients.

Conclusions

Compared to controls, patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis use greater pelvic movements during advanced functional performance tests, particularly when these involve descending tasks. Further studies should investigate if it is possible to alter these movement strategies by an intervention aimed at increasing strength and power for the patients.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by the Bevica Foundation, provided inertia measurement unit for measurement of pelvic motion.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Building 10A, Office 5, Tage Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Signe Kierkegaard, Peter Bo Jørgensen, Kjeld Søballe & Inger Mechlenburg

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Horsens Regional Hospital, Sundvej 30, 8700, Horsens, Denmark

    Signe Kierkegaard

  3. Section of Sports Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Ulrik Dalgas

  4. Centre of Research in Rehabilitation (CORIR), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Inger Mechlenburg

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  1. Signe Kierkegaard
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Correspondence to Signe Kierkegaard.

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Kierkegaard, S., Jørgensen, P.B., Dalgas, U. et al. Pelvic movement strategies and leg extension power in patients with end-stage medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 135, 1217–1226 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2276-9

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