Quadriceps muscle characteristics and subcutaneous fat assessed by ultrasound and relationship with function in patients with knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis are evaluated for total knee replacement (TKR), whose main indications are persistent pain and severe functional limitations substantially affecting mobility. However, evaluation of pain intensity and functional disability is difficult to standardize. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between quadriceps muscle thickness (QMT) and quality; the QMT and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and QMT and function in patients with knee OA on a waiting list for TKR. Methods: Cross-sectional study in consecutively-enrolled patients. Variables: SFT, QMT and rectus femoris muscle quality, assessed by echointensity (EI). Function by the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG); sociodemographic and clinical variables and physical activity were determined. Karl Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used. Results: 61 patients (45 female, mean age 69.7 years [SD 7.2], mean BMI 33.0 [SD 5.7], mean comorbidities 3.3 [SD 2.0], 52.5% regular physical activity) were studied. Mean TUG was 15.1 (SD 6.1). Variables retained in the regression model explained 36% of variability in the TUG. Greater muscle content (percentage) (r = À0,291) was associated with better TUG scores (p = 0.001). Greater muscle EI was negatively (r = À0,364) associated with function (p = 0.006). Older age was associated with worse TUG scores while regular physical activity was associated with better TUG scores (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Conclusions: A higher percentage of quadriceps muscle and better muscle quality (lower EI) was associated with better function. Age and exercise levels influenced function. Ultrasound may provide © 2017

Effectiveness of ultrasonographic skeletal muscle assessment in patients after total knee arthroplasty

“…RF-MT was associated with many physical functional parameters, but it was not associated with pain, JKOM score, and flexion ROM. The association between RF-MT and mobility capability found in the present study was also shown in a previous study of OA patients awaiting surgery [27]. A previous study showed no difference in terms of post-surgical muscle strength and ROM between the medial parapatellar approach used in the present study and quadriceps sparing, even though the latter is less surgically invasive [28].…”

“…There is no consensus on the association between physical functional performance and EI. One study reported an association between RF-EI and TUG in OA patients [27] while another study reported that the association between physical functional performance and EI was unclear [15]. Since muscle EI is affected by aging and MT [32], the indirect effects of aging and MT may have made the association between physical functional performance and EI unclear.…”

Associations Between Obesity With Low Muscle Mass and Physical Function in Patients With End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis

“…In the study by Manoy et al, 35 the SO group showed significantly slower gait speed and higher TUG time than the normal weight group. In knee OA patients, low gait speed and high TUG time are associated with quadriceps femoris muscle weakness; 47,48 quadriceps muscle weakness was associated with an increased risk of falls. 49 Therefore, patients with obesity and low muscle mass are considered to have a high risk of falls.…”

Ultrasound Measurements and Physical Fitness of Elite Youth Basketball Players

“…Ultrasound (US) of the musculoskeletal system is sufficiently accurate and reproducible to be used routinely in various research fields. [21,22] It is rapid, simple, non-invasive, non-ionising, and costeffective compared with other imaging techniques. [23] In addition, US is particularly useful for field settings because of its portability.…”