Effect of walking with a modified gait on activation patterns of the knee spanning muscles in people with medial knee osteoarthritis

To evaluate muscle activation patterns and co-contraction around the knee in response to walking with modified gait patterns in patients with medial compartment knee-osteoarthritis (KOA).

40 medial KOA patients walked on an instrumented treadmill. Surface EMG activity from seven knee-spanning muscles (gastrocnemius, hamstrings, quadriceps), kinematics, and ground reaction forces were recorded. Patients received real-time visual feedback on target kinematics to modify their gait pattern towards three different gait modifications: Toe-in, Wider steps, Medial Thrust. The individualized feedback aimed to reduce their first peak knee adduction moment (KAM) by ≥10%. Changes in muscle activations and medial/lateral co-contraction index during the loading response phase (10–35% of the gait cycle) were evaluated, for the steps in which ≥10% KAM reduction was achieved.

Data from 30 patients were included in the analyses; i.e. all who could successfully reduce their KAM in a sufficient number of steps by ≥10%. When walking with ≥10% KAM reduction, Medial Thrust gait (KAM −31%) showed increased flexor activation (24%), co-contraction (17%) and knee flexion moment (35%). Isolated wider-step gait also reduced the KAM (−26%), but to a smaller extent, but without increasing muscle activation amplitudes and co-contraction. Toe-in gait showed the greatest reduction in the KAM (−35%), but was accompanied by an increased flexor activation of 42% and hence an increased co-contraction index.

Gait modifications that are most effective in reducing the KAM also yield an increase in co-contraction, thereby compromising at least part of the effects on net knee load.