The relationship between external knee moments and muscle co-activation in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

The relationship between external knee moments and muscle coactivation in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis Selistre, LFA, Mattiello, SM, Nakagawa, TN, Gonçalves, GH, Petrella, M and Jones, R This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. AbstractPurpose: External knee moments are reliable to measure knee load but it does not take into account muscle activity. Considering that muscle co-activation increases compressive forces at the knee joint, identifying relationships between muscle co-activations and knee joint load would complement the investigation of the knee loading in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between muscle coactivation and external knee moments during walking in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 19 controls (11 males, aged 56.6 ±5, and BMI 25.2 ± 3.3) and 25 subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis (12 males, aged 57.3 ± 5.3, and BMI 28.2 ± 4) were included in this study. Knee adduction and flexion moments, and co-activation (ratios and sums of quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius) were assessed during walking and compared between groups. The relationship between knee moments and co-activation was investigated in both groups. Findings: subjects with knee osteoarthritis presented a moderate and strong correlation between co-activation (ratios and sums) and knee moments. Interpretation: Muscle co-activation should be used to measure the contribution of quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius on knee loading. This information would cooperate to develop a more comprehensive approach of knee loading in this population.

The role of hip abductor strength on the frontal plane of gait in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis

“…The medial and lateral malleoli, femoral epicondyles, seventh cervical vertebrae, greater trochanters, and acromia were removed after the static standing calibration trial was performed. These markers were used to construct the anatomical coordinate system for the trunk, pelvis, thigh, shank, and foot segments (Jones, Chapman, Parkes, Forsythe, & Felson, ; Selistre et al, ). The angular motion of all assessed joints was defined using Cardan angles in accordance with the recommendations of the International Society of Biomechanics (Wu et al, ).…”

The relationship between urinary C-Telopeptide fragments of type II collagen, knee joint load, pain, and physical function in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis

“…For each subject, a static calibration trial followed by five successful trials were collected for kinetic and kinematic analysis. The following reflective markers were located on anatomical landmarks bilaterally 49,50 : sternal notch, spinous process of C7, acromion, iliac crests, anterior and posterior superior iliac spines, greater trochanters of the femur, medial and lateral femoral epicondyles, medial and lateral malleoli, first, second and fifth metatarsal heads, base of the fifth metatarsal, and calcaneus. Four clusters built with 4 noncollinear markers were placed over the lateral side of thighs and shanks.…”

Muscle and Osteoarthritis Joint Status: Current Research Highlights and Their Implications

“…While harnessing the entire data base to systematize more definitive trends than is evident in the present snapshot of current research may be valuable, it is the author's belief that more efforts towards developing carefully construed biomechanical, radiological, molecular, biochemical, and neuromuscular oriented prospective studies of adequate duration are indicated to advance this line of inquiry, despite the increasing volume of reports. To verify or dispute hypothetical evidence based associations depicted in Figure 1 and expand upon trends depicted in Table 2, more prospective studies focusing on muscle co-activation effects [17], the role of eccentric as well as concentric forces on the emergence and progression of osteoarthritic joint disease [40], as well as the role of distant muscles [42,69], and the tendon-aponeurosis complex [46] are indicated [46,59]. In addition, delineating the role of muscle fat infiltration [33,81], muscle inflammation [25], and vitamin D [30] and its impact on muscle structure and function in the context of osteoarthritis may…”

“…14,15]. Yet others focused on examining the association between the impact of muscle co-activation processes on joint moments [16,17], sarcopenia and its relationship with osteoarthritis [18], muscle activation imbalances [19], the role of abnormal muscle loading forces [20], and muscle weakness and movement patterns [21] in the context of osteoarthritis.…”

“…Petrella, et al concluded a reduced ability to generate eccentric muscle forces in a timely manner [40] is a more significant factor in terms of explaining cartilage damage than concentric strength values. Yet, others have stressed the importance of abnormal dynamic muscular force adaptations [41][42][43], afferent sensory dysfunction [44,45], dysfunction of the tendon-aponeurosis entity of muscle [46], along with diminished strength capacity [47], co-ordination impairments, co-activation ratios and sums [17] in explaining the osteoarthritic pain and disability cycle. Alternately, others imply it is reduced muscle endurance, rather than muscle strength that influences joint force abnormalities associated with the disease process [48].…”