Knee extensor strength linked to improved physical function in patients with OA

Patients with osteoarthritis and severe physical dysfunction showed an association between increased knee extensor strength and improved self-reported physical function, according to results presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress.

by Casey Tingle, Healio May 1, 2017

“These preliminary findings suggest that an increased knee extensor strength is only associated with improved physical function self-reported in patients with severe physical dysfunction,” Michelle Hall PhD MSc BSc (Hons), said in her presentation.

Hall and colleagues asked 100 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and varus mal-alignment to perform neuromuscular exercises and quadriceps strengthening three times per week. Patients were supervised by a physiotherapist 14 times during a 12-week period, according to Hall. She noted WOMAC physical function was used as a dependent variable, while knee extensor strength and knee flexor strength were independent variables.

Results showed a significant relationship in knee extensor strength and WOMAC physical function. However, no significant association was found between change in flexor strength and improvement in physical function, Hall noted.

“When we put these data across baseline physical dysfunction, we observed a significant association between the change in knee muscle strength and improvement in physical function only for patients with severe physical dysfunction,” Hall said. “The association was no longer observed when you had patients according to mild and moderate physical dysfunction, and we observed no associations irrespective of baseline physical function for the knee flexor strength and change in physical function.”

Source Healio

References

Does the association between increased knee muscles strength and improved physical function differ according to baseline physical function? Exploratory analyses from a randomised controlled trial, M Hall, R S Hinman, M van der Esch, M van der Leeden, J Kasza, TV Wrigley, BR Metcalf, F Dobson, K L Bennell. Paper 61. Presented at:

Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress; April 27-30, 2017; Las Vegas. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. April 2017 Volume 25, Supplement 1, Page S48. DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.090

Knee Extensor Power Relates to Mobility Performance in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Cross-Sectional Analysis, Accettura AJ, Brenneman EC, Stratford PW, Maly MR. Phys Ther. 2015 Jul;95(7):989-95. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20140360. Epub 2015 Feb 5.

Also see
I have knee osteoarthritis. Are there exercises that could relieve my pain? Ask Doctor K. Harvard Medical School
Knee extensor power as it relates to mobility performance in people with knee osteoarthritis Neura
How to exercise if you have osteoarthritis Senior Times