Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms
<b>Background</b>: Frontal knee malalignments are hallmarks of Achondroplasia (ACH), along with disproportional short stature. Typically, X-rays are used to assess them, but 3D gait analysis (3DGA) may additionally be used to evaluate dynamic knee function. The research questions were as...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Matthias Hösl Antonia Thamm Faik Kamel Afifi Sean Nader |
| author_facet | Matthias Hösl Antonia Thamm Faik Kamel Afifi Sean Nader |
| author_sort | Matthias Hösl |
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| description | <b>Background</b>: Frontal knee malalignments are hallmarks of Achondroplasia (ACH), along with disproportional short stature. Typically, X-rays are used to assess them, but 3D gait analysis (3DGA) may additionally be used to evaluate dynamic knee function. The research questions were as follows: (1) What is the relationship between X-rays and 3DGA in ACH? (2) Do children with ACH have abnormal frontal knee kinematics and kinetics? (3) Are there aspects of 3DGA that relate to knee symptoms? <b>Methods</b>: A total of 62 knees of 31 children with ACH (age: 11.1 ± 4.3 years, 34 symptomatic knees) underwent 3DGA and X-ray as part of their standard clinical care. X-rays were analyzed for mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA). Relationships between X-rays and 3DGA were determined. Sixty-two knees of 31 age-matched typically developing (TD) children served as references for 3DGA. Frontal knee kinematics (including thrust RoM) and adduction moments (KAMs) were compared. Multiple regression was performed for measurements associated with KAM, and ANOVA was used to compare TD and ACH knees with and without pain. <b>Results:</b> There was a high correlation between static frontal knee angles and mTFA (r = 0.93, <i>p</i> < 0.001, mean difference = −2.9°). ACH knees with a regular mTFA also showed significantly increased KAM. Multiple regression analysis showed that mTFA was the most relevant predictor of KAM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.41–0.75). Symptomatic knees (n = 34/62) experienced significantly more knee RoM in early stance than asymptomatic knees. <b>Conclusions:</b> Three-dimensional gait analysis may be an objective screening method for dynamic knee alignment and stability and may complement radiography in monitoring ACH. Symptoms may depend on knee thrust, while the impact of altered KAM needs further study. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5100da60116747faa17892d96abaeed3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-5100da60116747faa17892d96abaeed32025-01-24T13:27:13ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011217810.3390/children12010078Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to SymptomsMatthias Hösl0Antonia Thamm1Faik Kamel Afifi2Sean Nader3Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, 83569 Vogtareuth, GermanyGait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, 83569 Vogtareuth, GermanyDivision of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1E8, CanadaSpecialist Centre for Paediatric Orthopaedics, Neuroorthopaedics and Deformity Reconstruction, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, 83569 Vogtareuth, Germany<b>Background</b>: Frontal knee malalignments are hallmarks of Achondroplasia (ACH), along with disproportional short stature. Typically, X-rays are used to assess them, but 3D gait analysis (3DGA) may additionally be used to evaluate dynamic knee function. The research questions were as follows: (1) What is the relationship between X-rays and 3DGA in ACH? (2) Do children with ACH have abnormal frontal knee kinematics and kinetics? (3) Are there aspects of 3DGA that relate to knee symptoms? <b>Methods</b>: A total of 62 knees of 31 children with ACH (age: 11.1 ± 4.3 years, 34 symptomatic knees) underwent 3DGA and X-ray as part of their standard clinical care. X-rays were analyzed for mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA). Relationships between X-rays and 3DGA were determined. Sixty-two knees of 31 age-matched typically developing (TD) children served as references for 3DGA. Frontal knee kinematics (including thrust RoM) and adduction moments (KAMs) were compared. Multiple regression was performed for measurements associated with KAM, and ANOVA was used to compare TD and ACH knees with and without pain. <b>Results:</b> There was a high correlation between static frontal knee angles and mTFA (r = 0.93, <i>p</i> < 0.001, mean difference = −2.9°). ACH knees with a regular mTFA also showed significantly increased KAM. Multiple regression analysis showed that mTFA was the most relevant predictor of KAM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.41–0.75). Symptomatic knees (n = 34/62) experienced significantly more knee RoM in early stance than asymptomatic knees. <b>Conclusions:</b> Three-dimensional gait analysis may be an objective screening method for dynamic knee alignment and stability and may complement radiography in monitoring ACH. Symptoms may depend on knee thrust, while the impact of altered KAM needs further study.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/78achondroplasiagait analysisvarusvalguskneeradiology |
| spellingShingle | Matthias Hösl Antonia Thamm Faik Kamel Afifi Sean Nader Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms Children achondroplasia gait analysis varus valgus knee radiology |
| title | Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms |
| title_full | Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms |
| title_fullStr | Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms |
| title_short | Frontal Plane Knee Kinematics and Kinetics During Gait in Children and Youth with Achondroplasia—Correspondence with Static X-Ray Images and Relevance to Symptoms |
| title_sort | frontal plane knee kinematics and kinetics during gait in children and youth with achondroplasia correspondence with static x ray images and relevance to symptoms |
| topic | achondroplasia gait analysis varus valgus knee radiology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/78 |
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