Gait compensations, pain, and functional performance during the six minute walk test in individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis

Background

Individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis walk with kinematic and spatiotemporal compensations compared to healthy individuals. Our purpose was to determine associations between gait, pain, and functional performance during the six-minute walk test.

Methods

Trunk and hip kinematics and spatiotemporal gait outcomes were recorded from individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis using inertial sensors (Xsens Technologies). Pain was collected prior to and at the end of the six-minute walk test. Paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate gait between limbs and between the first and final minutes of walking. Correlations were conducted between gait, pain, and six-minute walk test performance.

Findings

Nineteen participants (8 females, age: 63 ± 5 yrs., BMI: 29.0 ± 4.5 kg/m²) completed the study. Between-limb differences in hip flexion, hip extension, and trunk forward flexion peak angles were observed during the six-minute walk test (P < .05). Participants demonstrated an increase in trunk forward flexion of the osteoarthritis side (t = −2.34, P = .031) and a bilateral decrease in stride length (osteoarthritis limb: t = 2.98, P = .008, non- osteoarthritis limb: t = 3.17, P = .006) from the first to the final minute of walking. Greater pain was associated with greater osteoarthritis limb hip extension (first minute: r = −0.506, P = .027, final minute: r = −0.53, P = .020) and greater hip abduction (r = 0.46, P = .046) during the final minute of walking.

Interpretations

Gait compensations increase throughout the six-minute walk test, and pain associates with hip kinematics during the six-minute walk test. Wearable technology may allow for more accurate clinical movement assessments.