400 Section - Gait Analysis in Knee Osteoarthritis: From Functional Assessment to Clinical Decision-Making

Objectives : This study evaluated gait analysis in knee osteoarthritis, highlighting its ability to provide objective measures of functional impairment that complement clinical scores and guide patient management.

Design: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study involving 30 patients, in collaboration between the Rheumatology Department of the University Hospital Mohammed VI in Marrakesh, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Gait Analysis Lab. The study was conducted over a three-month period.

Results:

The study included 30 patients (90% female) with a mean age of 59.8 years, height 160.5 cm, and BMI 31.66. Most had primary/idiopathic knee osteoarthritis (94%), predominantly affecting the right knee. Pain was the main symptom (mean VAS 7.2/10), with radiological stages mostly Kellgren-Lawrence 2 (40%) and 3 (48%). Functional scores indicated moderate to severe disability (Lequesne index: 40% moderate, 37% severe; mean WOMAC pain 56.5).

Spatiotemporal gait analysis of 140 cycles showed a mean speed of 0.838 m/s and cycle time of 1.23 s, below healthy adult values. Cadence averaged 98 steps/min, step length ~0.51 m with good symmetry, stride length 1.03 m, and base width 0.11 m. Stance and swing phases lasted 0.76 s (61%) and 0.48 s (39%), respectively, reflecting a stable, regular pattern.

These findings indicate a slower, cautious gait with compensatory adaptations at the hips, pelvis, and ankles to preserve stability and reduce knee load.

Conclusion: Gait analysis provides an objective, reliable complement to clinical scores, allowing precise detection of functional deficits and supporting tailored management strategies in patients with knee osteoarthritis.