Alterações em parâmetros biomecânicos da marcha em indivíduos idosos com osteoartrite de joelhos: revisão de literatura

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is frequent in the elderly population and may be associated, among other factors, with changes in the biomechanical gait parameters. The objective of this study is to perform a critical review of the literature in order to reach a broad understanding on the changes in biomechanical gait parameters in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. For this purpose, twelve articles were included in this review that investigated biomechanical parameters in gait in the elderly (over 60 years of age) with OA. The searches were carried out in the date limit between 2004 and 2016 after the bibliographical survey with the databases Scielo, Pedro, Medline, Lilacs and Google Scholar. It was verified that a great part of the studies emphasize the alteration of knee posture (varism / valgus) as the biomechanical parameter more present in individuals with knee OA, in order to accentuate the picture, and even seen as a predictor of this pathology. Other biomechanical parameters found in this population are increased joint stiffness, decreased knee flexion / extension angle, and slower walking speed and stride length. Most studies have revealed the need for further research into biomechanical parameters, mainly because of the methodological quality of the studies (e.g. sample number). Knowing the altered biomechanical variables in this population is extremely important to direct effective interventions aimed at reducing the impact of OA on the functional capacity and independence of the elderly.