Premium
Gait biomechanics in joint hypermobility syndrome: a spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic analysis
Author(s) -
Alsiri Najla,
Cramp Mary,
Barnett Sue,
Palmer Shea
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
musculoskeletal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1557-0681
pISSN - 1478-2189
DOI - 10.1002/msc.1461
Subject(s) - joint hypermobility , medicine , gait , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gait analysis , biomechanics , kinematics , physical therapy , force platform , anatomy , physics , classical mechanics
Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) symptoms of widespread joint hypermobility and pain, muscle weakness and reduced muscle‐tendon stiffness suggest that there may be an impact on gait parameters. Identification of gait abnormalities may inform assessment and management. The objective in the present study was to use a cross‐sectional designed study to explore the impact of JHS on gait parameters. Methods A JHS group of 29 participants (mean age 37.57 (S.D. 13.77) years) was compared to a healthy control group of 30 participants (mean 39.27 (S.D. 12.59) years). Spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematics and joint kinetics were captured using the Qualisys motion capture system synchronized with a Kistler force platform. Results S tatistically significant reductions in walking speed, stride length and step length were found in the JHS group, while stance and double support durations were significantly increased ( p < 0.01). During the swing phase, the JHS group showed significantly less knee flexion ( p < 0.01). Reductions in hip extensor moment, and knee power generation and absorption were identified in the JHS group ( p < 0.01). No other gait parameters were significantly altered. Conclusion The JHS group walked more slowly with a kinematic ‘stiffening’ pattern. Hypermobility was not evident during gait. The observed stiffening pattern could be a strategy to avoid pain and improve balance. Impairments in moment and power generation could be related to several symptomatic and etiological factors in JHS. Clinicians should carefully consider gait in the assessment and management of people with JHS targeting the impairments identified by the current study.