Results from a recently published study in the journal Disability & Rehabilitation, recommend integrating single limb support (SLS) as an objective parameter during a comprehensive evaluation of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Ronen Debi, MD, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel, led the study.

According to researchers, the recommendation yields from an observational study that encompassed 125 adults with bilateral medical compartment symptomatic knee OA who received a physical and radiographic evaluation. The study reportedly assessed velocity, step length, and SLS by using a computerized mat, GAITRite. Researchers add that OA patients were asked to complete a questionnaire that yields from the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and a Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36 Health Survey). 

Researchers reportedly examined potential correlations between SLS in both questionnaires, between Kellgren & Lawrence (K&L) scores, potential correlations between the questionnaires themselves, and lastly between SLS correlations and K&L correlations.

The study’s results suggest significantly stronger correlations between SLS and WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-function, the SF-36 pain subcategory, velocity and step length compared to those exhibited in K&L scores. Significant differences were found over WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-function, and SF-36 overall score quartiles.

Source: Informa Healthcare