Strength asymmetry and osteoarthritis risk factors in unilateral trans-tibial, amputee gait

Persons with a unilateral, trans-tibial amputation have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee of their intact limb. Between-side strength discrepancies observed in individuals with an amputation may indicate overuse of the intact limb and increased osteoarthritis risk; however, the relationship between lower extremity strength and gait mechanics has not been addressed in previous literature. It was hypothesized that amputee subjects’ strength and gait would be more asymmetrical than controls, and that strength asymmetry would positively correlate with gait variable asymmetry and intact side gait variables associated with osteoarthritis risk. Eight persons with unilateral, trans-tibial amputation and eight able-bodied control subjects participated. Three gait variables related to osteoarthritis risk (knee external adduction moment, knee adduction moment load rate, and vertical ground reaction force load rate) were measured bilaterally, along with three strength measures (hip abductors, knee extensors, and knee flexors). Four of the six variables were more asymmetrical in the amputee group than the control group (p < 0.05 and/or effect size greater than 0.70). Knee extension strength asymmetry was significantly related to knee adduction moment load rate asymmetry (rho = 0.714), and knee flexion strength asymmetry was moderately related to the vertical ground reaction force on the intact limb (rho = 0.643). Results suggest that strength asymmetry in unilateral trans-tibial amputees has a moderate relationship with osteoarthritis risk, and may be a useful way to assess gait ability and the need for rehabilitation in this population.