Isokinetic Strength and Functional Status in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Abstract. Muscle function and functional performance are affected in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the concentric torque of knee muscles (quadriceps and hamstring) and functional status in two matched groups: one group of patients with low grade of tibiofemoral OA, and one group of matched healthy subjects. Concentric peak torques of quadriceps and hamstring were measured in both groups at an angular velocity of 90 and 150 degree/second. In addition, selected functional tests, selected lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and thigh girth were assessed in both groups. The independent t-test revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to isokinetic concentric peak torque at different angular velocities and for the timed walking test, as a measure of functional status. However, no significant difference in lower extremity joints' ROM and thigh girth were seen. In conclusion, patients with knee OA, even in low grades and with minimum symptoms and signs, had muscle weakness and functional limitation in comparison with the matched healthy subjects. This weakness may result from a variety of factors, leading to muscle strength loss and functional limitation.

Isokinetic Strength Training in Patients With Stroke: Effects on Muscle Strength, Gait and Functional Mobility

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Factors associated with upper leg muscle strength in knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review

“…Upper leg muscle strength is reported to be approximately 20-40% lower compared with healthy age-matched controls (1,3). Muscle weakness in knee or hip OA is strongly related to the patient-reported outcomes pain, activity limitations and falls, and has been linked to symptomatic progression of the disease (2,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Moreover, muscle weakness has been reported to be a risk factor for radiographic progression and the development of knee OA (9,10).…”

Effects of two different quadriceps strengthening exercise approaches on cardiovascular fitness in healthy female subjects: A single blind randomized study

“…Emrani and colleagues found that significant decreases in isokinetic torques and longer walking times in patients with knee osteoarthritis were observed compared to healthy controls. They thought that because of muscle weakness, the patients may change in their gait pattern and also their walking pace was slowed down [17]. Similarly, one recent study pointed out that quadriceps strength in both sexes was one of the strong predictors of speedrelated gait variables [18].…”