Increased knee extensor strength linked with improved physical function in patients with OA

LAS VEGAS — 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.

“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.

Michelle Hall

Hall and colleagues asked 100 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and varus malalignment 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.” – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Hall M, et al. Paper #61. Presented at: Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress; April 27-30, 2017; Las Vegas.

Disclosure: Hall reports no relevant financial disclosures.