Effects of severity of degeneration on gait patterns in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis

This study tested the hypothesis that patients with mild and severe medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) adopt different compensatory gait patterns to unload the deseased knee, in not only the frontal plane but also the sagittal plane. Fifteen patients with mild and 15 with severe bilateral medial knee OA, and 15 normal controls walked while the kinematic and kinetic data were measured. Compared to the normal group, both OA groups had significantly greater pelvic anterior tilt, swing-pelvis list, smaller standing knee abduction, as well as smaller standing hip flexor and knee extensor moments during stance. The severe group also had greater hip abduction, knee extension and ankle plantarflexion. The mild group successfully reduced the extensor moment and maintained normal abductor moment at the diseased knee mainly through listing and anterior tilting the pelvis. With extra compensatory changes at other joints and increased hip abductor moment, the severe group successfully reduced the knee extensor moment but failed to reduce the abductor moment. These results suggest that, apart from training of the knee muscles, training of the hip muscles and pelvic control are essential in the rehabilitative intervention of patients with knee OA, especially for more severe patients.     

Kinematic alterations of the lower limbs and pelvis during an ascending stairs task are associated with the degree of knee osteoarthritis severity

Background

Individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) generally demonstrate great difficulty in ascending stairs. The strategies and compensations used by these individuals in stair activities have not been fully established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint kinematics of the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle throughout the gait cycle, in the sagittal and frontal planes, in individuals with mild and moderate knee OA, during an ascending stairs task.

Asymmetric knee loading at heel contact during walking in patients with unilateral knee replacement

Increased load on the knee joint by excessive levels of impact forces during initial contact has been suggested to lead to knee osteoarthritis (OA). Asymmetric loading after knee replacement may also relate to the development of OA in the contralateral limb, therefore this study investigated the heel strike transient vertical force and subsequent lower extremity kinematic, kinetic and spatio-temporal parameters during level walking between the operated and the contralateral limbs in patients 12 months following unilateral knee replacement. A six camera motion analysis system with a force plate was used to investigate the differences between limbs in the heel strike transient vertical GRF and its relative timing, and hip, knee and ankle angles and moments at initial contact, as well as spatio-temporal parameters during the stance phase of walking in 19 subjects with unilateral knee replacement. Paired t tests showed a significant difference in the contralateral limb relative to the operated limb in the heel strike transient magnitude (p=0.03), hip moment (p=0.01), knee moment (p=0.02) and ankle moment (p=0.03). No significant differences were found for the joint angles at heel contact or the spatio-temporal parameters (p>0.05). The heel strike transient magnitude was lower for the operated limb with no differences in the spatio-temporal parameters or the joint angles at initial contact between the limbs. Differences in the hip, knee and ankle moments were also found indicating an asymmetric loading of the impact force at initial contact on the lower extremity. The current findings may indicate an asymmetric loading on the knee joint and therefore may be clinically relevant in patients undergoing unilateral knee replacement.     

Biomechanical effects of body weight support with a novel robotic walker for over-ground gait rehabilitation

Body weight support (BWS) promotes better functional outcomes for neurologically challenged patients. Despite the established effectiveness of BWS in gait rehabilitation, the findings on biomechanical effects of BWS training still remain contradictory. Therefore, the aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the effects of BWS. Using a newly developed robotic walker which can facilitate pelvic motions with an active BWS unit, we compared gait parameters of ten healthy subjects during a 10-m walk with incremental levels of body weight unloading, ranging from 0 to 40 % at 10 % intervals. Significant changes in joint angles and gait temporospatial parameters were observed. In addition, the results of an EMG signal study showed that the intensity of muscle activation was significantly reduced with increasing BWS levels. The reduction was found at the ankle, knee, and hip joints in the sagittal plane as well as at the hip joint in the frontal plane. The results of this study provide an important indication of increased lateral body balance and greater stabilization in sagittal and frontal plane during gait. Our findings provide a better understanding of the biomechanical effects of BWS during gait, which will help guide the gait rehabilitation strategies.     

步态分析技术评估人工踝关节置换前后踝关节功能的改善程度

背景：人工踝关节置换目前得到了广泛的应用,疗效也得到了一定的认同,但目前的疗效评估多是通过各类评分标准进行评估,但对于踝关节置换后患者步态改变尚缺乏研究。 目的：通过Kofoed评价系统及步态分析技术比较人工踝关节置换患者置换前置换后踝关节功能的改善程度。 方法：收集2007-09/2011-06在上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院骨科进行人工踝关节置换的患者,对其置换前后行Kofoed评分及步态分析,并与15例正常对照者进行比较,观察置换前后患者踝关节功能的改变。 结果与结论：人工踝关节置换后,Kofoed评分及步态参数步长、步速、患侧单腿支撑时间、双腿支撑时间、患侧踝关节、健侧踝关节、患侧髋关节、患侧膝关节、健侧膝关节行进中关节最大活动度出现明显改善(P < 0.05)。     

痉挛型脑瘫患者功能性选择性脊神经后根切断术前后的三维步态特征分析

目的分析痉挛型脑瘫患者功能性选择性脊神经后根切断(functional selective posterior rhizotomy,FSPR)手术前后的步态特征,客观量化评估手术疗效。方法选取15名将要进行FSPR手术治疗的痉挛型脑瘫患者,应用VICON三维运动捕捉系统结合AMTI三维测力台对患者进行手术前后的步态采集,分析手术前后步态的时空、运动学及动力学参数。结果手术后,左、右支撑时间均大于手术前,左侧步长明显大于手术前,步高、步速及冠状面重心偏移均小于手术前;着地时的膝关节矢状面角度(即屈伸角度)出现明显提高,髋、踝关节未见明显差异。手术后,步行过程中左右侧髋、膝、踝关节活动范围(range of motion,ROM)在矢状面均出现不同程度的提高,且有统计学差异;右踝关节冠状面ROM也出现明显提高。手术后,右膝关节最小屈曲角度及左、右踝关节最大跖屈角度均出现显著减小;左、右侧支撑相最大垂直力较手术前明显提高,而下肢关节力矩未见明显差异。结论三维步态分析可以在一定程度上评估痉挛型脑瘫患者FSPR手术的疗效。术后痉挛型脑瘫患者的痉挛得到缓解,对步态的时空参数及下肢关节运动学参数改善比较明显,而对于动力学参数改善相对不明显,需进行进一步康复治疗。     

足部跖趾关节约束对人体步态稳定性的影响

目的 研究足部跖趾关节约束对人体步态稳定性的影响。 方法 在水平湿滑试验台上进行足部跖趾关节有、无约束两种状态下的步态实验,分析时空步态参数、运动学参数、动力学参数以及利用摩擦因数( utilization coefficient of friction,UCOF)差异。 结果 跖趾关节有约束状态下,人体行走平均步速减小 50 mm/ s,跨步长度缩小0. 22 m,双支撑相时间缩短 70 ms;跖趾关节约束会使髋、膝关节在矢状面内的活动范围显著增大,而踝关节活动范围减小。 同时,跖趾关节约束状态 UCOF 幅值是无约束状态的 1. 15 倍,表明人体滑跌的概率增大以及行走不稳定性增加。 结论 足部跖趾关节约束会降低行走稳定性。 研究结果为足部趾屈运动康复设备的研发提供数据和理论支持     

The variability problem of normal human walking

Previous investigations have suggested considerable inter-individual variability in the time course pattern of net joint moments during normal human walking, although the limited sample sizes precluded statistical analyses. The purpose of the present study was to obtain joint moment patterns from a group of normal subjects and to test whether or not the expected differences would prove to be statistically significant. Fifteen healthy male subjects were recorded on video while they walked across two force platforms. Ten kinematic and kinetic parameters were selected and input to a statistical cluster analysis to determine whether or not the 15 subjects could be divided into different 'families' (clusters) of walking strategy. The net joint moments showed a variability corroborating earlier reports. The cluster analysis showed that the 15 subjects could be grouped into two clusters of 5 and 10 subjects, respectively. Five parameters differed significantly, so the group of 5 subjects was characterized by (1) a higher peak knee joint extensor moment, (2) more flexed knee joint angle at heel strike, (3) during the whole stance phase, (4) lower peak knee joint flexor moment and (5) lower ankle joint angle at flat foot position. Calculation of bone-on-bone forces in the knee joint showed a value of 64 N/kg body weight in the K+ group and 55 N/kg in the K- group (p<0.05). It is unknown if differences of similar magnitude contribute to early joint degeneration in some individuals while not in others.     

Effect of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Hemiplegic Gait Patterns

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on both kinematic and temporospatial gait patterns in patients with hemiplegia.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen hemiplegic patients diagnosed with either cerebral palsy or stroke participated in this study. All participants underwent the 4-week gait training with RAS. The treatment was performed for 30 minutes per each session, three sessions per week. RAS was provided with rhythmic beats using a chord progression on a keyboard. Kinematic and temporospatial data were collected and analyzed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system.

Results

Gait training with RAS significantly improved both proximal and distal joint kinematic patterns in hip adduction, knee flexion, and ankle plantar flexion, enhancing the gait deviation index (GDI) as well as ameliorating temporal asymmetry of the stance and swing phases in patients with hemiplegia. Stroke patients with previous walking experience demonstrated significant kinematic improvement in knee flexion in mid-swing and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance. Among stroke patients, subacute patients showed a significantly increased GDI score compared with chronic patients. In addition, household ambulators showed a significant effect on reducing anterior tilt of the pelvis with an enhanced GDI score, while community ambulators significantly increased knee flexion in mid-swing phase and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance phase.

Conclusion

Gait training with RAS has beneficial effects on both kinematic and temporospatial patterns in patients with hemiplegia, providing not only clinical implications of locomotor rehabilitation with goal-oriented external feedback using RAS but also differential effects according to ambulatory function.     

Impaired gait in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease. The spine becomes rigid from the occiput to the sacrum, leading to a stooped position. This study aims at evaluating AS subjects gait alterations. Twenty-four subjects were evaluated: 12 normal and 12 pathologic in stabilized anti-TNF-alpha treatment (mean age 49.42 (10.47), 25.44 (3.19) and mean body mass index 55.75 (3.19), 23.73 (2.7), respectively). Physical examination and gait analysis were performed. A motion capture system synchronized with two force plates was used. Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of trunk, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle were determined during gait. A trend towards reduction was found in gait velocity and stride length. Gait analysis results showed statistically significant alterations in the sagittal plane at each joint for AS patients (P < 0.049). Hip and knee joint extension moments showed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.044). At the ankle joint, a decreased plantarflexion was assessed (P < 0.048) together with the absence of the heel rocker. Gait analysis, through gait alterations identification, allowed planning-specific rehabilitation intervention aimed to prevent patients’ stiffness together with improve balance and avoid muscles’ fatigue.     

Modeling initial contact dynamics during ambulation with dynamic simulation

Ankle-foot orthoses are frequently used interventions to correct pathological gait. Their effects on the kinematics and kinetics of the proximal joints are of great interest when prescribing ankle-foot orthoses to specific patient groups. Mathematical Dynamic Model (MADYMO) is developed to simulate motor vehicle crash situations and analyze tissue injuries of the occupants based multibody dynamic theories. Joint kinetics output from an inverse model were perturbed and input to the forward model to examine the effects of changes in the internal sagittal ankle moment on knee and hip kinematics following heel strike. Increasing the internal ankle moment (augmentation, equivalent to gastroc-soleus contraction) produced less pronounced changes in kinematic results at the hip, knee and ankle than decreasing the moment (attenuation, equivalent to gastroc-soleus relaxation). Altering the internal ankle moment produced two distinctly different kinematic curve morphologies at the hip. Decreased internal ankle moments increased hip flexion, peaking at roughly 8% of the gait cycle. Increasing internal ankle moments decreased hip flexion to a lesser degree, and approached normal at the same point in the gait cycle. Increasing the internal ankle moment produced relatively small, well-behaved extension-biased kinematic results at the knee. Decreasing the internal ankle moment produced more substantial changes in knee kinematics towards flexion that increased with perturbation magnitude. Curve morphologies were similar to those at the hip. Immediately following heel strike, kinematic results at the ankle showed movement in the direction of the internal moment perturbation. Increased internal moments resulted in kinematic patterns that rapidly approach normal after initial differences. When the internal ankle moment was decreased, differences from normal were much greater and did not rapidly decrease. This study shows that MADYMO can be successfully applied to accomplish forward dynamic simulations, given kinetic inputs. Future applications include predicting muscle forces and decomposing external kinetics.     

Ageing effects on knee and ankle joint angles at key events and phases of the gait cycle

The objective of this research was to determine whether joint angles at critical gait events and during major energy generation/absorption phases of the gait cycle would reliably discriminate age-related degeneration during unobstructed walking. The gaits of 24 healthy adults (12 young and 12 elderly) were analysed using the PEAK Motus motion analysis system. The elderly participants showed significantly greater single (60.3% versus 62.3%, p < 0.01) and double ( p < 0.05) support times, reduced knee flexion (47.7 degrees versus 43.0 degrees , p < 0.05) and ankle plantarflexion (16.8 degrees compared to 3.3 degrees , p = 0.053) at toe off, reduced knee flexion during push-off and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (16.8 degrees compared to 22.0 degrees , p < 0.05) during the swing phase. The plantarflexing ankle joint motion during the stance to swing phase transition (A2) for the young group (31.3 degrees ) was about twice ( p < 0.05) that of the elderly (16.9 degrees ). Reduced knee extension range of motion suggests that the elderly favoured a flexed-knee gait to assist in weight acceptance. Reduced dorsiflexion by the elderly in the swing phase implies greater risk of toe contact with obstacles. Overall, the results suggest that joint angle measures at critical events/phases in the gait cycle provide a useful indication of age-related degeneration in the control of lower limb trajectories during unobstructed walking.     

全膝关节置换修复膝内翻畸形：胫股角及膝关节活动度随访评价

背景：膝关节内翻畸形施行人工全膝关节置换难度大,涉及面多,包括手术入路、术中截骨、软组织松解顺序、方法及程度、软组织平衡等,目前意见不统一,争议较多。 目的：观察全膝关节置换修复成人膝关节内翻畸形胫股角及膝关节活动度的1年以上随访结果。 方法：2006年6月至2013年6月对31例(35膝)膝内翻畸形采用后稳定型假体进行全膝关节置换,髌骨内侧入路,正确截骨,选择性软组织松解,以恢复膝关节正常力线和软组织平衡,获得膝关节的稳定,置换后采取针对性的康复训练。全膝关节置换前后拍X射线片测量胫股角,置换后定期随访检查膝关节活动度,并进行美国特种外科医院(HSS)评分、美国西部Ontario和McMaster大学骨关节炎指数(WOMAC)评估。 结果与结论：所有患者均获得随访,随访时间为12-96个月,随访方式为门诊复查随访。胫股角由置换前平均内翻17.69°(5°-30°)纠正至置换后的5.66°(2°-8°),膝关节活动度由置换前的74.29°(60°-95°)提高到置换后119.46° (105°-130°);HSS评分由置换前的26.60分(14-42分)提高到置换后89.03分(82-95分),优28膝,良7膝;WOMAC评分由42.83分(28-54分)提高到置换后90.17分(85-95分)。结果经统计学分析提示,所有病例置换后胫股角、膝关节活动度、HSS及WOMAC评分均较置换前显著改善(P < 0.01)。置换后X射线片检查未见假体周围透亮区,关节力线正常,无髌骨低位、髌骨骨折。提示成人膝关节内翻畸形患者全膝关节置换后1年以上随访畸形均得到纠正,功能明显改善,修复效果满意。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

Limited knee extension during gait after total knee arthroplasty is related to a low Oxford Knee Score

BackgroundAfter total knee replacement (TKR) some patients report low self-perceived function, which is clinically measured using patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). However, PROMs, e.g. the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), inherently lack objective parameters of knee function. Biomechanical gait analysis is an objective and reliable measurement to quantitatively assess joint function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between biomechanical gait parameters and the OKS.MethodsGait analyses were recorded in 37 patients at least one year after primary TKR and in 24 healthy controls. Parameters from this analysis were calculated for hip, knee and ankle joint angles and joint moments in the sagittal and frontal plane including initial contact, early, late stance and swing. For the patients these parameters were expressed as its difference to control values at matched walking speed. Linear regression analyses were performed between the parameters from gait analysis and the OKS, with speed as covariate.ResultsThe difference in knee extension angle at initial contact and late stance between patients and controls was significantly related to the OKS. Per one degree knee extension difference increase, the OKS reduced with 1.0 to 1.6 points. Overall, patients extended their knee less than controls. Neither ankle and hip gait parameters, nor joint moments showed a relation with OKS.ConclusionsAll patients with a submaximal score on the OKS showed limited knee extension during gait, even without a mechanical constraint in knee extension. This could be related to motor control limitations in this patient group.     

The effect of load carriage on the gait of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and normal controls

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and load-bearing both appear to place similar demands on gait, but no data regarding the combined effects of load-bearing gait in subjects with AIS could be found. The gait patterns of 22 normal adolescent girls and 28 girls with mild AIS (Cobb angle<25 degrees ) were recorded at backpack loads of 0, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% body weight. Temporal-distance and joint kinematic, moment and power parameters were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Findings showed that backpack carriage places an increased demand on the musculature of the lower limb and results in a gait characterized by reduced pelvic motion and greater hip flexion-extension. AIS has a generally similar effect on gait kinematics as backpack carriage, with AIS subjects having significantly longer double support durations, shorter single support durations and lower knee joint power generation and absorption than normal subjects. No interaction between backpack load and AIS was found however, although investigation of parameters indicating a critical response to load showed that this typically occurred at lower backpack loads (7.5% body weight) in the AIS group. Overall, both AIS and load-bearing place increased demands on gait, but carriage of a loaded backpack does not appear to cause any greater demand on subjects with AIS than normal controls.     

穿支螺旋桨皮瓣和腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床价值对比

目的分析并比较穿支螺旋桨皮瓣和腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床价值。方法选取2015年7月至2018年5月本院收治的足踝部软组织缺损患者57例为研究对象,根据创面局部情况及创面位置选择不同皮瓣修复,分为穿支螺旋桨皮瓣组(n=27)和腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣组(n=30)。比较两组术后皮瓣存活情况,随访6个月,采用改良Weber标准评价患者踝关节功能,统计两组患者术后温度觉、触觉,供区瘢痕挛缩及满意度。结果穿支螺旋桨皮瓣组手术时间短于神经营养血管皮瓣组,术后皮瓣坏死发生率低于神经营养血管皮瓣组,但差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);术后6个月,两组在疼痛、步态、日常活动、踝活动范围及距下关节活动范围方面评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05);在肿胀方面,穿支螺旋桨皮瓣组评分低于神经营养血管皮瓣组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术后6个月,两组皮瓣温度觉、触觉及瘢痕挛缩比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后两组满意度比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论穿支螺旋桨皮瓣和腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣均可有效修复足踝部软组织缺损,但穿支螺旋桨皮瓣修复在外观恢复方面具有一定优势。     

老年人手提重物时不同停止方式对步态稳定性的影响

目的 分析老年人手提重物及不同步态停止方式时下肢肌肉活动特性及相应关节运动参数的变化,探究手部负重及步态停止方式对老年人步态稳定性以及身体平衡的影响.方法 以0 kg、双手各2.5 kg和右手5 kg的负重方式,分别在急停和有计划停止条件下,采集双侧下肢踝、膝、髋关节角度以及表面肌电信号.结果 在不同的负重方式下,双侧...     

Effect of a robotic restraint gait training versus robotic conventional gait training on gait parameters in stroke patients

Kinematic and kinetic gait parameters have never been assessed following robotic-assisted gait training in hemiparetic patients. Previous studies suggest that restraint of the non-paretic lower limb during gait training could be a useful rehabilitation approach for hemiparetic patients. The aim of this study is to compare a new Lokomat^® asymmetrical restraint paradigm (with a negative kinematic constraint on the non-paretic limb and a positive kinematic constraint on the paretic limb) with a conventional symmetrical Lokomat^® training in hemiparetic subjects. We hypothesized that hip and knee kinematics on paretic side would be more improved after the asymmetrical Lokomat^® training than after the conventional training. In a prospective observational controlled study, 26 hemiparetic subjects were randomized to one of the two groups Lokomat^® experimental gait training (LE) or Lokomat^® conventional gait training (LC). They were assessed using 3D gait analysis before, immediately after the 20 min of gait training and following a 20-min rest period. There was a greater increase in peak knee flexion on the paretic side following LE than LC (p = 0.04), and each type of training induced different changes in vertical GRF during single-support phase on the paretic side. Several other spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic gait parameters were similarly improved after both types of training. Lokomat^® restrained gait training with a negative kinematic constraint on the non-paretic limb and a positive kinematic constraint on the paretic limb appears to be an effective approach to specifically improve knee flexion in the paretic lower limb in hemiparetic patients. This study also highlights spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic improvements after Lokomat^® training, in hemiparetic subjects, rarely investigated before.     

Longitudinal changes in knee kinematics and moments following knee arthroplasty: A systematic review

BackgroundKnee arthroplasty (KA) is recognized as an effective treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis and up to 90% of patients experience substantial pain relief. There has been no systematic review synthesizing the longitudinal changes in gait following KA. The aims of this systematic review were to determine the effects of KA on (i) frontal plane and (ii) sagittal plane kinematic and kinetic parameters during the stance phase of gait.MethodsMEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, SPORTdiscus (EBSCO), and Cochrane Library (Wiley) were searched until April 10th, 2014. 1,765 articles were identified, of which 19 studies describing 3-dimensional gait analysis pre- and post-KA were included. Study quality was evaluated by two reviewers independently using the Downs and Black checklist.FindingsFollowing KA, in the frontal plane, the maximum knee adduction angle and external knee adduction moment (KAM) tended to decrease. In the sagittal plane, findings suggest that the maximum knee flexion moment is increased. From the ten studies that included a healthy reference group, it was unclear whether gait variables returned to normal following KA.InterpretationOverall, it appears that KA results in a decreased peak KAM and maximum knee adduction angles, an increased peak knee flexion moment and inconsistent changes in the peak knee flexion angle. Knowledge gaps remain due to methodological inconsistencies across studies, limited statistical analysis, and largely heterogeneous sample populations. More research is needed to determine whether KA restores gait patterns to normal, or if additional rehabilitation may be needed to optimize gait following surgery for osteoarthritis.     

Kinematic and Kinetic Interactions During Normal and ACL-Deficient Gait: A Longitudinal In Vivo Study

The interactions between different tissues within the knee joint and between different kinematic DOF and joint flexion during normal gait were investigated. These interactions change following ACL transection, in both short (4 weeks) and long (20 weeks) term. Ten skeletally mature sheep were used in control (N = 5) and experimental (N = 5) groups. The 6-DOF stifle joint motion was first measured during normal gait. The control group were then euthanized and mounted on a unique robotic testing platform for kinetic measurements. The experimental group underwent ACL transection surgery, and kinematics measurements were repeated 4 and 20 weeks post-operatively. The experimental group were then euthanized and underwent kinetic assessment using the robotic system. Results indicated significant couplings between joint flexion vs. abduction and internal tibial rotation, as well as medial, anterior, and superior tibial translations during both normal and ACL-deficient gait. Distinct kinetic interactions were also observed between different tissues within the knee joint. Direct relationships were found between ACL vs. LM/MM, and PCL vs. MCL loads during normal gait; inverse relationships were detected between ACL vs. PCL and PCL vs. LM/MM loads. These kinetic interaction patterns were considerably altered by ACL injury. Significant inter-subject variability in joint kinematics and tissue loading patterns during gait was also observed. This study provides further understanding of the in vivo function of different tissues within the knee joint and their couplings with joint kinematics during normal gait and over time following ACL transection.