Changes in gait biomechanics as functional symptom of chondromalacia patella

The goal of this research was to investigate functional and biomechanical symptoms in patients with chondromalacia patella. Material and Methods - Gait biomechanics was assessed in 35 patients with diagnosed unilateral chondromalacia patella and in 20 healthy adult controls. We recorded hip and knee movements, impact loads and temporal characteristics of the gait cycle (GC) during self-paced walking. Results - The temporal characteristics of gait and the impact loads remained normal in the patient population. Hip flexion amplitude decreased both on the affected (p=0.002) vs. unaffected (p=0.016) sides, compared to healthy control, whereas the amplitude phase increased on the affected (p=0.012) vs. unaffected (p=0.001) sides, versus healthy control. Hip extension and adduction-abduction amplitudes did not change significantly. Stance-phase and swing-phase knee flexion amplitudes did not change significantly. Knee extension amplitude on the affected limb increased (p=0.015), and knee rotation on the unaffected limb decreased versus control (p=0.016). The so-called stairstep symptom defined in the study was found in 83% of patients: in 23 patients bilaterally and in 6 patients unilaterally. Conclusion - Chondromalacia patella affected the gait biomechanics on both sides. The changes in the kinematic patterns during the flat-surface walking were not substantial. The only pathognomonic functional symptom of the condition was the stairstep symptom. © 2019, Russian Open Medical Journal.