The distribution of the load on the lower limbs during development unilateral and bilateral coxarthrosis of various etiologies

The gait and the posture was studied in patients with hip arthritis. The unilateral hip arthritis causes the first load redistribution on the lower extremities that was reflected by the decrease of contact time and force reaction of the affected leg. The gait asymmetry depends on the degree of joint distribution. As the pathologic process involves both joints the first type of load redistribu­tion was present till the contralateral joint remained normal or become narrow. The second load redistribution occurred when the contralateral femoral head deformity developed. The less affected leg is usually overloaded but the degree of the overload becomes lower. In bilateral arthritis the force reaction of both extremities becomes more symmetrical than in unilateral arthritis. That indicates that the compensatory ability is lost.