Reduced quadriceps muscle functional performance in knee osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT

Reduced quadriceps strength is an early finding in subjects with knee osteoarthritis [OA]. The strength of flexor and extensor muscles of the knee joint was assessed with isokinetic dynamometry in patients with tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee OA. To study the relationship of muscle strength with the severity of tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA of the knee joint using functional performance isokinetic testing. This was to determine the role of reduced functional performance in quadriceps strength in knee osteoarthritis. The study was performed on 30 patients [16 females and 14 males]. In the TFOA group the age was 48.8+4.47. In the 30 patients patellofemoral OA group, the age was 30.14+4.68. Isokinetic dynamometry testing of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. The strength and functional isokinetic performance was found to be decreased in both groups more in TFOA than patellofemoral OA. Reduced functional performance of the lower extremity is an early predictor than radiographic changes of osteoarthritis, mainly osteophytes, in TFOA than in patellofemoral OA patients. This suggests that in chronic knee pain, the functional performance is important for evaluating knee osteoarthritis, perhaps more so than radiography