Gait patterns, symptoms, and function in patients with isolated tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and combined tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to compare hip and knee biomechanics during walking in individuals with isolated tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (TFOA), combined TFOA and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA), and those without knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to compare patient‐reported symptoms and function in individuals with isolated TFOA and those with combined TFOA and PFOA. Participants with and without knee OA were assessed and categorized into (i) no OA, (ii) isolated TFOA, and (iii) combined TFOA and PFOA, based on Kellgren and Lawrence diagnostic criteria. Quantitative motion analyses were conducted during walking, and hip and knee kinematics, and external moments were calculated. Peak values in the sagittal and frontal planes during stance phase were computed. Patient‐reported symptoms and function data were obtained using the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to compare between‐group differences in gait and patient‐reported symptoms and function data. The results showed no statistically significant differences in hip and knee kinematics and external moments between the three groups. Relative to those with isolated TFOA, individuals with combined TFOA and PFOA had greater pain (mean difference [95%CI]: 1.5 [0.05–3.1]), stiffness (0.8 [0.02–1.5]), and poorer function (5.4 [0.2–10.7]). In conclusion, the combined TFOA and PFOA radiographic disease pattern is associated with worse pain and function compared to the isolated TFOA disease pattern. The results of the present study provide no indications that treatments designed to change walking biomechanics should differ between individuals with isolated TFOA and those with combined TFOA and PFOA.