ABSTRACT
Objective：This study aimed to determine the difference in knee joint range of motion (ROM) and coefficient of variation (CV) during preoperative single-leg squatting in patients who developed ipsilateral lower limb anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-injury months after ACL reconstruction and in those who did not have the injury.Methods：Participants included 38 patients with non-contact ACL injuries. All patients underwent single-leg squatting the day before ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were assessed during single-leg squatting using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. We investigated the occurrence of ACL reinjury in the ipsilateral lower limb approximately 30 months after ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were then compared between the postoperative and non-injury groups.Results：The postoperative injury and non-injury groups included 9 and 29 patients, respectively. The knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were greater in the postoperative injury group than in the postoperative non-injury group.Conclusion：During single-leg squatting before ACL reconstruction surgery, the knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were suggested to be points of evaluation when considering ACL re-injury prevention.
ABSTRACT
Objective：We aimed to examine the criterion-related validity of observable items of gait abnormality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) using three-dimensional gait analysis and to assess the test-retest reliability.Methods：The items of gait abnormality were pooled from a prior study and rated using a 3-point scale. Content validity was examined by four experts in knee OA research and accepted when there was an agreement among at least three experts. Correlation between abnormality rating and three-dimensional gait analysis data was examined. The test-retest reliability of the agreement rate was then assessed in the same subject twice.Results：Eleven items were pooled, and all met the criterion of content validity. Eight items showed adequate correlation with the three-dimensional gait analysis data and had test-retest reliability exceeding 0.61.Conclusion：In patients with knee OA, observable items of gait abnormality had good test-retest reliability and criterion-related validity according to the three-dimensional gait analysis data.
ABSTRACT
Objective：We aimed to examine the criterion-related validity of observable items of gait abnormality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) using three-dimensional gait analysis and to assess the test-retest reliability.Methods：The items of gait abnormality were pooled from a prior study and rated using a 3-point scale. Content validity was examined by four experts in knee OA research and accepted when there was an agreement among at least three experts. Correlation between abnormality rating and three-dimensional gait analysis data was examined. The test-retest reliability of the agreement rate was then assessed in the same subject twice.Results：Eleven items were pooled, and all met the criterion of content validity. Eight items showed adequate correlation with the three-dimensional gait analysis data and had test-retest reliability exceeding 0.61.Conclusion：In patients with knee OA, observable items of gait abnormality had good test-retest reliability and criterion-related validity according to the three-dimensional gait analysis data.
ABSTRACT
<p>Objective：To elucidate factors associated with physical function and clarify the actual condition of functional deterioration in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA)．</p><p></p><p>Methods：We enrolled 467 patients with severe knee OA and preoperatively assessed the following parameters：background factors (sex, age, BMI, K-L grade, and pain) and physical function (muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors, and knee joint angles). A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the independent background factors and dependent physical functions. The median of preoperative function based on selected factors of physical function was calculated.</p><p></p><p>Results：Based on the multiple regression analysis, sex, BMI, K-L grade, and pain statistically significantly correlated with muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors. Sex and BMI statistically significantly correlated with knee joint flexion angle. K-L grade statistically significantly correlated with knee joint extension angle. The median of muscle strength for knee extension was 0.98/0.92 Nm/kg (Grade 3/Grade 4) for males and 0.70/0.59 Nm/kg for females. The median of muscle strength for knee flexion was 0.53/0.45 Nm/kg for males, 0.36/0.30 Nm/kg for females. The median for knee joint flexion angle was 130° for males and 120° for females. The median for knee joint extension angle was -5°/-10° (Grade 3/Grade 4)．</p><p></p><p>Conclusion：We clarified the degree of muscle strength and range of motion before TKA in patients with knee OA. We believe that the findings obtained in this study will contribute to explaining the functional deterioration of patients with knee OA.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective：The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the timing of gait acquisition and the length of hospitalization, and to clarify the differences in background factors and functional recovery during the early postoperative period and their effect on the variability in gait acquisition.<br/>Methods：We recruited 148 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at three hospitals. The participants were divided into two groups on the basis of the number of days needed to achieve independent gait at ≤14 days after surgery (group A) and ＞14 days after surgery (group B). We compared the background factors between the two groups. Additionally, we compared the preoperative and postoperative function in each group.<br/>Results：We observed a significant positive correlation between the number of days needed to achieve independent gait and the length of hospitalization. In group A, the significant background factors were younger age and higher preoperative activity level. In group A, compared with the level of preoperative function, the postoperative maximum knee extension angle on the operated side and pain had significantly improved. In both groups, the postoperative knee extensor strength on the operated side, knee extensor strength on the nonoperated side, knee flexion strength on the operated side, maximum knee flexion angle on the operated side, and walking speed were significantly reduced.<br/>Conclusion：During early rehabilitation, it is necessary to consider the age and previous activities of patients. In addition, we suggest that early rehabilitation with a focus on reducing pain by alleviating inflammation and improving maximum knee extension angle on the operated side may be effective for fast acquisition of gait.