The prevalence of varus thrust: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Varus thrust is prevalent in clinically studied knee OA cohorts, particularly in people with varus alignment and more severe radiographic OA.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA); varus thrust during gait assessed by clinical observation16 studies
- Outcome
- Prevalence of varus thrust
Methodological detailsPRISMA guidelines, two independent reviewers, Five electronic databases and Google Scholar searched from inception to January 21, 2025
- PRISMA guidelines
- Two independent reviewers
- Five electronic databases and Google Scholar searched from inception to January 21, 2025
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of varus thrust in knee OA
Knees with knee OA
20.6%
95% CI 15.4%–27.0%
Individuals with knee OA
26.9%
95% CI 21.6%–32.9%
Further pooled results
Varus thrust prevalence in knee OA with varus alignment (subgroup)
- Varus alignment
- 34.9% (95% CI 27.6%-43.0%)
Varus thrust prevalence by radiographic OA severity (subgroup)
- Increased with greater radiographic OA severity; K/L grade 4
- 54.3%
Varus thrust prevalence by sex (subgroup)
- Numerically higher in males than females; between-subgroup difference not statistically significant
Original publication
The prevalence of varus thrust: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 8 May 2026. doi:10.
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