Analysis of Balance Ability Dependent on the Angle of the Knee Joint in Females in Their 20s

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate how balance ability according to angle of the knee joint changes in young female adults wearing a knee orthosis. [Methods] This study was conducted with 11 healthy female adults. The subjects used a knee brace that could be set to angles of 0°, 15°, and 30° of knee flexion. The ability to balance was evaluated by balance assessment. A total of four postures were used for measurements: a forward-facing posture with the eyes open on a stable surface (NO), a forward-facing posture with the eyes closed on a stable surface (NC), a forward-facing posture with the eyes open on an unstable surface (PO), and a forward-facing posture with the eyes closed on an unstable surface (PC). [Results] Regarding the weight distribution index and stability index on a stable surface, there was no interaction according to whether there was visual deprivation or not or according to knee flexion angle. Furthermore, the stability index on an unstable surface showed no interaction according to whether there was visual deprivation or not or according to knee flexion angle. But the WDI on a stable surface showed no interaction according to whether there was visual deprivation or not or according to knee flexion angle. [Conclusion] There were significant differences in the knee extension range of motion of normal elderly people and knee osteoarthritis, and the quadriceps femoris played an important role in knee function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

The Effect of Migration of Instantaneous Centre of Knee Orthosis Rotation During Gait - in Vivo Displacement Measurements in Two Experimental Variants

“…Knee joint orthoses are commonly used to decrease compressive forces transmitted by the arti cular surface overloaded as a result of varus or valgus alignment [8,14]. Apart from unloading knee orthoses, which consist of external stems, hinges, and straps, there are also rest orthoses, serving to immobilise the joint, and knee sleeves, which have various protective functions [2].…”

“…Or te zy sta wu ko la no we go są po wszech nie sto sowa ne ce lem zmniej sze nia sił kom pre syj nych prze noszo nych przez po wierzch nię sta wo wą prze cią żo ną usta wie niem ko śla wym lub szpo ta wym [8,14]. Poza or te za mi od cią ża ją cy mi (unlo ading knee or thosis), któ re skła da ją się z ze wnętrz nych trzpie ni (stem), prze gu bów (hin ge) i pa sków mo cu ją cych (strap), wyró żnia się or te zy sta tycz ne (rest or tho sis) sto so wa ne ce lem unie ru cho mie nia sta wu oraz na ko lan ni ki elastycz ne (knee sle eves), któ re peł nią ró żne funk cje ochron ne [2].…”