Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (15): 3839-3847.doi: 10.12307/2026.694

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Relationship of inertial measurement unit gait stability with pain intensity and kinesiophobia in patients with medial meniscus injuries

Chen Yiyan1, 2, Wang Liyan1, Fan Zhiying3, Zhou Haibin3, Cheng Peng4, Lu Aming2   

  1. 1Department of Physical Education, Suzhou Vocational University, Suzhou 215104, Jiangsu Province, China; 2Physical Education and Sports School, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu Province, China; 3Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated People's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, Jiangsu Province, China; 4Department of Basic Courses, Suzhou City University, Suzhou 215104, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-05-15 Online:2026-05-28 Published:2025-11-06
  • Contact: Cheng Peng, MS, Lecturer, Department of Basic Courses, Suzhou City University, Suzhou 215104, Jiangsu Province, China Lu Aming, MD, Professor, Physical Education and Sports School, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Chen Yiyan, MD, Department of Physical Education, Suzhou Vocational University, Suzhou 215104, Jiangsu Province, China; Physical Education and Sports School, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Major Scientific Research Project of Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau, No. ST242106 (to LAM)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pain alters motor control through neuromuscular changes, leading to gait alterations. Clarifying the effect of pain characteristics on gait performance in patients with medial meniscus injuries facilitates the development of individualized rehabilitation programs.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pain characteristics on gait performance in patients with medial meniscus injury.
METHODS: Gait data were collected using inertial measurement units and a constant velocity camera from 32 healthy people (17 men and 15 women) and 51 patients with medial meniscus injuries (24 men and 27 women). Pain characteristics such as pain freedom, pain intensity, pain psychology, and pain stage were also assessed. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the differences between groups. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with pain characteristics as the independent variable and gait indicators as the dependent variable.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with the control group, the patients' step length, thigh angular velocity during the support period, calf angular velocity during the support period, foot angular velocity during the support period, calf angular velocity during the swing period, foot angular velocity during the swing period, symmetry index of the hip range of motion, coefficient of variation of the hip range of motion, and muscular contribution during the support period of the rectus femoris muscle significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the symmetry index of the step length, symmetry index of the knee range of motion, coefficient of variation of the step length, and muscular contribution during the swing period of the biceps femoris muscle significantly increased (P < 0.05). (2) The predictive variables of step length were whether knee extension was painful, pain intensity, and kinesiophobia. The predictive variables of thigh angular velocity in the support phase, thigh angular velocity in the swing phase, calf angular velocity in the swing phase, and muscle contribution in the support phase of the rectus femoris muscle were whether knee extension was painful. The predictive variable of the coefficient of variation for the range of motion of the hip joint was pain intensity. (3) It is indicated that pain characteristics (such as pain intensity and kinesiophobia) in patients with medial meniscus injuries affect gait performance and improve stability by slowing down movement speed, shortening stride length, and other kinematic manifestations in the presence of an imbalance in thigh muscle coactivation effects. Future research directions should include pain management with gait retraining.

Key words: pain characteristics, medial meniscus injury, gait performance, inertial measurement unit, kinesiophobia, stability

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