노년 여성의 내반슬 진행집단에 따른 하반신 형태 및 생활실태 분석

Abstract

This study categorized 100 female subjects over 65 years of age into two groups. The first group is called ‘early stage of varus’, which is when the gap between the knees is less than 5 cm. The second group is called ‘progressive varus’, which is when the gap between knees is 5 cm (or more). We then analyzed their lower body shapes and life status. The results were as follows. The average gap between knees in the early stage group and the progressive group was 3.3 cm and 6.2 cm. Direct and indirect measurements of their lower bodies showed that subjects in the progressive group had longer legs than the other group because their legs were bent outwards. Most of the subjects were found to live in western housing conditions, but maintained sedentary lifestyles. A total of 60% of the subjects thought that they were in bad health conditions and said that they found it difficult to move their knees dynamically; in addition, 63.6% of the subjects in the early stage group and 73.5% of the subjects in the progressive group suffered from arthritis. Subjects in the progressive group were more aware than the other group that their legs were bent outwards. They also responded that bent legs do harm to their appearance and make their lives uncomfortable. Most senior females with varus did not seek medical treatment and did not buy clothes that can help change their varus. However, 95% of the subjects responded they were in need for clothes that could straighten the varus-type.