The Relationship between Pelvic Rotation and Trunk Lean Motion during Walking in Patients with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pelvic rotation angle and trunk lean angle. Fifteen patients with symptoms of knee OA were recruited for this study. Pelvic rotation angle and trunk lean angle during one stride were calculated using three-dimensional gait analysis data. The mean values of trunk lean angle were 2.9 degree on the knee OA limb side, and 3.5 degree on the healthy limb side. The mean values of pelvic rotation angle were 8.6 degree on the knee OA limb side, and 8.1 degree on the healthy limb side. Significant negative correlations with trunk lean angle existed in both limbs for pelvic rotation angle (knee OA limb side; r = -0.53, Healthy limb side; r = -0.56, p-0.05). We consider that therapeutic exercise which improves the pelvic rotation angle may be useful for reduction of trunk lean motion during walking with knee OA patients.