Hand on Knee Gait in Knee Osteoarthritis

Causes and Contributing Factors

The primary causes of hand on knee gait are knee osteoarthritis with joint instability, pain, and weakness, which lead patients to place their hands on their knees for additional support during ambulation 1, 2
Significant knee pain during weight-bearing activities forces patients to modify their gait pattern, often using hands on knees to redistribute weight and reduce pain 3, 1

The American College of Rheumatology recommends canes for patients with knee OA causing significant impact on ambulation, joint stability, or pain, which may reduce the need for hand-on-knee support 1, 2
The American College of Rheumatology strongly recommends tibiofemoral knee braces for patients with knee OA affecting ambulation, joint stability, or pain who can tolerate the associated inconvenience 3, 2
Progressive strengthening of hip girdle muscles, particularly the gluteus medius, and quadriceps can improve stability and potentially reduce hand-on-knee gait patterns 4

Using hands on knees can alter overall biomechanics and potentially lead to secondary issues in the spine and other joints 5