Genu varum deformity may increase postural sway and falling risk

authors:

avatar Amir Hoshang Bakhtiary , * , avatar Elham Fatemi , avatar Asghar RezaSoltani

Koomesh: Vol.13, issue 3; 330-338
published online: May 25, 2012
article type: Research Article
received: July 08, 2011
accepted: October 01, 2011

how to cite: Bakhtiary A H , Fatemi E, RezaSoltani A. Genu varum deformity may increase postural sway and falling risk. koomesh. 2012;13(3):e152518. 

Abstract

  Introduction: Any disturbance in balance control procedures may increase the risk of injury during sport activities. Knee deformities such as genu valgum and genu varum may perturb the line of gravity passing the lower limb joints and so disturb dynamic and static balance indices. This study was designed to investigate the effects of genu valgum and genu varum deformity on the static and dynamic balance indices.   Material and Methods: A total of 90 non-athletic female university students were assigned in one of the three experimental groups normal knee (n=30), genu varum (n=30) and genu valgum (n=30), according to their knee conditions. Static and dynamic overall stability index (OSI), anterior-posterior stability index (APSI), medial-lateral stability index (MLSI) and falling risk were evaluated three times by Biodex balance system, and the average of each index were recorded.   Results: No significant difference was seen between groups in term of dynamic and static OSI and APSI, while significant lower stability was found in the genu varum group compared to normal groups in term of dynamic and static MLSI (p