Effects of an intentional gait modification on lower limb alignment

Abstract

Construction workers are exposed to the risk of medial meniscus tear due to their repetitive kneeling posture. Injury prevention requires the reduction of compressive force on the medial side of the knee joint by reducing knee adduction angle. The objective of this experimental study was to explore whether an intentional gait modification could change the lower limb alignment and reduce the knee adduction angle without any brace or external devices. Eight healthy participants walked on a treadmill with three different gait strategies: normal, valgus and varus walking. Their lower limb kinematics data were captured by three-dimensional motion capture system, and knee joint adduction angle variables were compared between the three strategies. Results found significant (p<0.05) decrease of the peak knee adduction angle during stand and swing phases when walking with intentional valgus strategy compared to when walking normally, indicating the positive effects of gait modification on the lower limb alignment.