Normal plantar weight distribution pattern and its variations with change of functional position and its comparison with patients of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Early osteoarthritic changes at the knee result in altered plantar weight
distribution pattern during stand, minisquat, squat and one leg stand positions. To study and quantify these plantar weight distribution variations with changes in static functional position, a cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 202 subjects, 92 healthy people (control group) and 110 with early knee osteoarthritis, participated in the study. The plantar weight distribution and its variations with change in functional position were
assessed using footplate, while the functional disability status was  assessed using WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) & CIFKAS (Composite Indian Functional Knee Assessment Scale). The participants were allocated into two groups i.e. group-1 and group-2. The participants in group-1 had no knee complaint and those in group-2 had diagnosis of early knee osteoarthritis. Independent test was used for the statistical analysis. Significant difference between the groups was observed for the percentage plantar weight (load) distribution during stand (p value <.001 to .005), minisquat (p value <.001 to .022), left leg stand (p value <.001 to .003) and right leg stand (p value <.001 to .008) and Pain &functional disability status on WOMAC & CIFKAS (p value <.001). It was concluded that the knowledge of this altered plantar weight  distribution and its variation with change in functional position can serve as a guiding tool for formulating an effective context-specific intervention strategy for managing pain and functional disability in knee osteoarthritis.

KEY WORDS: Knee osteoarthritis; Footplate; Functional position; Functional Disability; Plantar weight distribution