Patients with peripheral arterial disease exhibit reduced joint powers compared to velocity-matched controls

Previous studies have shown major deficits in gait for individuals with peripheral arterial disease before and after the onset of pain. However, these studies did not have subjects ambulate at similar velocities and potential exists that the differences in joint powers may have been due to differences in walking velocity. The purpose of this study was to examine the joint moments and powers of peripheral arterial disease limbs for subjects walking at similar self-selected walking velocities as healthy controls prior to onset of any symptoms. Results revealed peripheral arterial disease patients have reduced peak hip power absorption in midstance (p = 0.017), reduced peak knee power absorption in early and late stance (p = 0.037 and p = 0.020 respectively), and reduced peak ankle power generation in late stance (p = 0.021). This study reveals that the gait of patients with peripheral arterial disease walking prior to the onset of any leg symptoms is characterized by failure of specific and identifiable muscle groups needed to perform normal walking and that these gait deficits are independent of reduced gait velocity.

► We investigated walking impairments due to peripheral arterial disease. ► PAD patients were matched with controls based on self selected velocity. ► PAD patients have reduced joint powers compared to healthy controls. ► Functional gait deficits occur prior to onset of symptomatic claudication pain.