The effect of decreasing the mechanical load on knees during walking in knee osteoarthritis

618. SUMMARYThis study has been planned to examine the effect of decreasing the mechanical loadduring walking in knee osteoarthritis. 30 female patients who have bilateral knee osteoarthritiswere included in the study. Bilateral knee radiographies were evaluated according to Kellgrenand Lawrence. ?Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OsteoarthritisIndex? and ?Lower Extremity Functional Scale? (LEFS) were used in order to evaluate lowerextremity pain, stiffness and functions. Patients have walked on ?Biodex Gait Trainer?treadmill under full weight bearing and with partial body weight support of 10%. Pain anddifficulty during walking, walking distance and time, average step length, average step cycle,step fall change percent, right and left leg time distribution were evaluated.A significant decrease was determined at pain and difficulty level after partial bodyweight support. There was significant increase in right and left step length, walking distanceand time, and a decrease in right and left step fall change and average step cycle.As a result, this study showed that decreasing the mechanical load on knees has afavourable effect on pain and difficulty during walking and gait in knee osteoarthritis.