College of Health
33 Hip Mechanics as a Reflection of Physical Function in Aging Adults with Early to Late-Stage Hip Osteoarthritis
Hunter Blake Carlson and Jesse C. Christensen (Physical Therapy & Athletic Training)
Faculty Mentor: Jesse C. Christensen (Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, University of Utah)
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the world. [12] Its prevalence in the hip joint is observed to have dramatic adverse effects on the quality of life of aging adults and can contribute to more significant health issues. [1] Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) results in progressive joint pain and muscle loss, abnormal hip mechanics, and poor functional performance. [4, 8] To date, it is unknown how the abnormal hip mechanics brought on by HOA relate to functional performance. Therefore, this study aims to compare the relationship between deficits in hip mechanics of the frontal (primary) and sagittal (secondary) planes onto physical function, using validated functional performance tests in adults with HOA. We hypothesized that more significant deficits in the involved limb’s hip mechanics (angle, moment, power) would be associated with poorer Two Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and Forty Meter Walk Test (40MWT) performance. We also hypothesized that more significant deficits in hip mechanics would be associated with greater hip abduction, knee extension, and knee flexion weakness of the involved limb. This hypothesis was explored, but no significant differences were found during the study. The results of this study demonstrated the following: 1) slower gait speeds were associated (p= 0.04, r= -0.47) with greater hip flexion angle in the late stance phase of the involved limb during self-selected walking; 2) faster gait speeds were associated (p= 0.04, r= 0.47) with greater hip power output in the early stance phase of the involved limb during self-selected walking; 3) more distance covered during the 2MWT was associated (p= 0.02, r= -0.53) with greater hip flexion angle in the late stance phase of the involved limb during self-selected walking; 4) more distance covered during the 2MWT was associated (p= 0.05, r= 0.44) with greater hip power in the late stance phase of the involved limb during self-selected walking; 5) slower 40MWT times were associated (p< 0.01, r= -0.66) with greater hip flexion angle in the late stance phase of the involved limb during self-selected walking. No relationships between muscle strength and functional performance were observed. These findings demonstrate that adaptations in walking gait patterns of adults with HOA affect their overall functional performance, which could influence their quality of life and ability to participate in activities of daily living. Future studies can look at other planes of motion to attempt to build a more complete profile of the functional adaptations arising ii from HOA. This more complete profile can be used to address adults’ concerns, improve quality of life metrics, an