Knee joint kinematics during the swing phase of patients who experienced a stroke: Comparison of high-speed and low-speed walkers

Background: Most studies of knee joint motion during gait in patients who experienced a stroke have focused on comparisons with healthy individuals. However, comparisons of patients with varying gait abilities have not been adequately performed. This study compared the kinematic parameters of the bilateral knee joints of patients who experienced a stroke. These patients were divided into those with fast gait speed and those with slow gait speed to determine any differences in motion. Methods: Twenty patients who experienced a stroke were included in this study. The fast and slow gait speed groups both comprised 10 patients. Knee joint-related parameters were the timing and flexion angle at the start of the swing phase on both sides and timing and flexion angle at the peak knee joint flexion angle. The difference between timing during both phases and the difference between the knee joint flexion angle during both phases were calculated. Findings: Significant differences in the timing and angle at the start of the swing phase, peak timing, and peak angle of the fast and slow groups were observed on the affected side (p < 0.05). Significant differences in the timing of the start of the swing phase, peak timing and difference between timing of the fast and slow groups were observed on the unaffected side (p < 0.05). Interpretation: Clear differences in the kinematic characteristics of the knee joints on the affected and unaffected sides were observed in both groups. These valuable insights regarding knee joint motion may improve the gait speed of such patients.