The effect of foot orientation modifications on knee biomechanics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of foot orientation modifications on knee joint biomechanics during different activities in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis population
IRAS ID
280287
Contact name
Yi Wan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Incorrect or inappropriate foot orientation during daily activities can influence the magnitude and rate of knee joint loading. Over a long period of time, this can cause cumulative damage to the articulating surfaces of the knee joint, especially in people with existing knee osteoarthritis (OA). Foot position and orientation are believed to have an impact on knee kinetics and kinematics during daily activities such as walking and sit-to-stand, by altering the direction of the ground reaction force vector in relation to the knee joint. However, limited studies have systematically explored the effect of foot orientation on biomechanical aspects of common daily activities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different foot orientations (i.e. toe-in, parallel and toe-out) across several daily activities (i.e. walking, sit-to-stand, and stair ambulation), and to objectively compare knee loading patterns and perceptions of joint pain across these activities. This is a single-group, repeated-measures, cross-sectional study that will identify whether altering foot orientation during daily activities will alter knee loading and perceived pain in patients with knee OA. A 3-dimensional marker-based motion capture system and force platform will be used to quantify knee loading and joint angles. The results of this study will be useful in the prevention, management and rehabilitation of knee OA. A better understanding of the knee loading across different daily activities may allow physiotherapists and clinicians to design more suitable and specific rehabilitation programmes to minimise knee loading and joint pain to slow disease progression.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0116
Date of REC Opinion
17 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion