Three-dimensional knee kinematics in patients with a discoid lateral meniscus during gait

Kengo Harato, Aiko Sakurai, Yutaka Kudo, Takeo Nagura, Ko Masumoto, Toshiro Otani, Yasuo Niki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background To date, the knee kinematics of a discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) has not been elucidated. The aim was to investigate the three-dimensional knee kinematics in knees with a DLM using gait analysis. Methods Ten patients (mean: 14 years) diagnosed with bilateral DLM and unilaterally symptomatic snapping as well as 10 healthy controls (mean: 23 years) participated in the study. Each patient with a DLM had unilaterally snapping knee in full extension and deep flexion. The three-dimensional gait analysis was performed with the point cluster technique. All subjects were asked to walk on a level floor at the speed of their choice. In the sagittal plane, knee excursion was separately evaluated during the weight acceptance phase and the mid-stance phase. In the axial plane, knee excursion during the stance phase was assessed. Finally, knee excursion during the whole gait cycle was evaluated in the frontal plane. Statistical comparison was conducted between groups, and between both sides in the DLM group. Results In the sagittal plane, knee excursions during the weight acceptance phase and the mid-stance phase were significantly smaller in the DLM group than in the control group; in addition, these were smaller on the symptomatic side than on the asymptomatic side in the DLM group. In the axial plane, knee excursion was also significantly smaller on the symptomatic side than on the asymptomatic side in the DLM group, whereas the frontal knee motion did not differ significantly. Conclusion Less knee motion in the sagittal plane may prevent snapping during extension and flexion in patients with a DLM. Level of Evidence III.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)622-626
Number of pages5
JournalKnee
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-08-2016
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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