The Impact of Contralateral Cane Placement on the External Knee Adduction Moment

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of contralateral cane placement on the decrease in external knee adduction moment (KAM) and explores the underlying mechanisms. Ten healthy adults participated in a study to test three different lateral cane placements. The “Natural” placement corresponded to the participants’ comfortable position, while the “Wide” and “Wider” placements were 10 cm and 20 cm further laterally outward, respectively. Results from repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant decrease in KAM peaks with more lateral cane placements (p < 0.01). This reduction was primarily due to a decreased moment arm, particularly at the second peak of KAM. The reduction in walking speed associated with more lateral cane placement had a negligible effect on KAM reduction. The decrease in the lever arm was caused by the displacement of knee joint to the medial side, which outweighed the medial rotation of the ground reaction force vector.