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Naderi S, Mohammadipour F, Amir Seyfaddini M. The Effects of Different Walking Inclinations on Knee Angle in the Frontal Plane of Patients with Varus Malalignment. PTJ 2014; 4 (3) :139-144
URL: http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-182-en.html

Methods: 18 male subjects with varus malalignment classified at grade 3 bowleg, within the age range of 19-24 years, volunteered to participate in this study. The parameters of knee angle in the frontal plane at the moments of heel contact, midstance and toe off when walking on -7.5, zero, +5 and +10 percent of treadmill inclination were calculated using three-dimensional motion analysis system with six optoelectronic cameras. Repeated measures of variance and non-parametric Friedman test were used for data analysis. 

Results: The results of the present study showed that as walking inclination increases, knee angle in the frontal plane decreases. The only significant differences were related to varus angle between +10 and zero percent inclinations at the moment of midstance (P<0.001) and between -7.5 and zero percent inclinations at the moment of toe off (P<0.001) and in case of other parameters, no significant differences were observed. 

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, walking on upslope surfaces, probably is a suitable solution to reduce the load exerted on the knee and prevent premature osteoarthritis in young individuals with varus malalignment.