Influence of alteration of foot progression angle on three-dimensional pelvic kinematics in individuals with knee osteoarthritis during walking: A randomized crossover study

BACKGROUND: Foot progression angle (FPA) modification trials during walking have been used to reduce knee adduction moments in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. However, few studies have confirmed the impact of FPA modification as a clinical intervention on pelvic segment kinematics. METHODS: Kinematic pelvic data were obtained from 37 participants with medial knee osteoarthritis using a three-dimensional motion capture system under varying FPA walking conditions. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to assess the influence of each FPA condition on kinematic values. RESULTS: During maximal internal foot rotation gait trials, participants exhibited decreased depression, reduced external rotation, and increased internal rotation of the pelvis compared to the free walking condition (P < .05). In contrast, under the maximal external foot rotation condition, significantly less internal rotation and increased external rotation of the pelvis were observed compared to the free walking condition (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that additional musculoskeletal dysfunctions and clinical implications, including back pain and pelvic instability, should be considered when implementing FPA modification gait in individuals with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.