Between-Limb Kinematic Asymmetry During Gait in Unilateral and Bilateral Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective

To compare lower-limb kinematic asymmetries during gait in individuals with unilateral and bilateral symptomatic osteoarthritis and controls.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Laboratory.

Participants

Participants (N=54) had symptomatic unilateral (n=18) or bilateral (n=18) knee osteoarthritis. Healthy controls were sex- and age-matched and similar in height and weight to osteoarthritis groups (n=18).

Intervention

Three-dimensional motion analysis was conducted while participants walked on a treadmill at 1.1m/s.

Main Outcome Measures

Maximum joint angles and velocities of the knee and hip during stance, knee flexion, knee adduction, and hip adduction at initial contact, pelvic drop, stride length, and average toe out.

Results

There was a significant limb effect for knee flexion at initial contact (P=.01). The bilateral osteoarthritis group demonstrated the largest between-limb asymmetry (2.83°; 95% confidence interval, .88–4.78; effect size [ES]=.67). The bilateral osteoarthritis group also displayed tendencies toward between-limb asymmetry in hip adduction at initial contact and peak knee adduction during stance; ESs were small (ES=.33 and .48). Lower-limb kinematics was symmetrical in the control and unilateral knee osteoarthritis groups.

Conclusions

Between-limb asymmetries are present even at mild to moderate stages of knee osteoarthritis. During this stage, between-limb asymmetry appears to be more prevalent in patients with bilateral symptomatic disease, suggesting that patients with unilateral disease maintain kinematic symmetry for longer in the knee osteoarthritis process. Further, early treatment strategies should target the restoration of gait symmetry and involve kinematics changes in both lower limbs. Future research is needed to determine the efficacy of such strategies with respect to kinematic asymmetry, pain, and disease progression.     

Association of Dynamic Joint Power With Functional Limitations in Older Adults With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Segal NA, Yack HJ, Brubaker M, Torner JC, Wallace R. Association of dynamic joint power with functional limitations in older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives

To determine which lower-limb joint moments and powers characterize the level of gait performance of older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

University motion analysis laboratory.

Participants

Community-dwelling adults (N=60; 27 men, 33 women; age 50-79y) with symptomatic knee OA.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Physical function was measured using the long-distance corridor walk, the Short Physical Performance Battery, and the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI Function). Joint moments and power were estimated using an inverse dynamics solution after 3-dimensional computerized motion analysis.

Results

Subjects aged 64.2±7.4 years were recruited. Ranges (mean ± SD) for the 400-m walk time and the LLFDI Advanced Lower-Limb Function score were 215.3 to 536.8 (304.1±62.3) seconds and 31.5 to 100 (57.0±14.9) points, respectively. In women, hip abductor moment (loading response), hip abductor power (midstance), eccentric hamstring moment (terminal stance), and power (terminal swing) accounted for 41%, 31%, 14%, and 48% of the variance in the 400-m walk time, respectively (model R²=.61, P<.003). In men, plantar flexor and hip flexor power (preswing) accounted for 19% and 24% of the variance in the 400-m walk time, respectively (model R²=.32, P=.025).

Conclusions

There is evidence that men and women with higher mobility function tend to rely more on an ankle strategy rather than a hip strategy for gait. In higher functioning men, higher knee extensor and flexor strength may contribute to an ankle strategy, whereas hip abductor weakness may bias women with lower mobility function to minimize loading across the knee via use of a hip strategy. These parameters may serve as foci for rehabilitation interventions aimed at reducing mobility limitations.     

Effects of Weight-Bearing Versus Nonweight-Bearing Exercise on Function, Walking Speed, and Position Sense in Participants With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jan M-H, Lin C-H, Lin Y-F, Lin J-J, Lin D-H. Effects of weight-bearing versus nonweight-bearing exercise on function, walking speed, and position sense in participants with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To investigate whether weight-bearing (WB) exercise enhances functional capacity to a greater extent than nonweight-bearing (NWB) exercise in participants with knee osteoarthritis.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Kinesiology laboratory.

Participants

Participants (N=106) were randomly assigned to WB exercise, NWB exercise, or a control group (no exercise).

Intervention

WB exercise and NWB exercise groups underwent an 8-week knee extension-flexion exercise program.

Main Outcome Measures

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function scale, walking speed, muscle torque, and knee reposition error were assessed before and after intervention.

Results

Equally significant improvements were apparent for all outcomes after WB exercise and NWB exercise, except for reposition error, for which improvement was greater in the WB exercise group. In contrast, there were no improvements in the control group.

Conclusions

Simple knee flexion and extension exercises (WB and NWB) performed over 8 weeks resulted in significant improvement in the WOMAC function scale and knee strength compared with the control group. NWB exercise alone may be sufficient enough to improve function and muscle strength. The additional benefit of WB exercise was improved position sense, which may enhance complex walking tasks (walking on figure of 8 route and spongy surface).     

膝骨关节病康复临床路径

卫生部下发《临床路径管理指导原则（试行）》（卫医管发[2009]99号）的通知,希望建立一套既能贯彻医院质量管理标准,又能节约资源的医疗标准化模式。为适应现代医学和康复医学发展的需要,采用康复临床路径对康复治疗进行规范,是非常重要的。四川大学华西医院康复医学科根据临床路径要求,于2011年制定了康复医学科膝骨关节病康复临床路径,希望通过临床试用,对路径的临床实用性、可行性进行探讨,并逐渐完善。     

Clinic-Based Assessment of Weight-Bearing Asymmetry During Squatting in People With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Nintendo Wii Balance Boards

Objective

To use low-cost Nintendo Wii Balance Boards (NWBB) to assess weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) in people who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to compare their results with a matched control group.

Design

Quantitative clinical study using a cross-sectional design.

Setting

Orthopedic clinic of a private hospital.

Participants

ACLR participants (n=41; mean age ± SD, 26.0±9.8y; current Cincinnati sports activity level, 75.3±19.8) performed testing in conjunction with their routine 6- or 12-month clinical follow-up, and a control group (n=41) was matched for age, height, body mass, and physical activity level.

Interventions

Participants performed double-limb squats while standing on 2 NWBBs, 1 under each foot.

Main Outcome Measures

The WBA variables mean mass difference as a percentage of body mass, time favoring a single limb by >5% body mass, absolute symmetry index, and symmetry index relative to the operated or matched control limb were derived. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to assess between-group differences.

Results

Significant (P<.05) increases in asymmetry in the ACLR group were found for all outcome measures except symmetry index relative to the operated limb.

Conclusions

People who have undergone ACLR are likely to possess WBA during squats, and this can be assessed using low-cost NWBBs in a clinical setting. Interestingly, the observed asymmetry was not specific to the surgical limb. Future research is needed to assess the relationship between WBA early in the rehabilitation process and long-term outcomes.     

Relationships of Fear, Anxiety, and Depression With Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Scopaz KA, Piva SR, Wisniewski S, Fitzgerald GK. Relationships of fear, anxiety, and depression with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives

To explore whether the psychologic variables anxiety, depression, and fear-avoidance beliefs, and interactions between these variables, are associated with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized lower levels of function would be related to higher anxiety, higher depression, and higher fear-avoidance beliefs, and that high levels of 2 of these factors simultaneously might interact to have a greater adverse effect on physical function.

Design

Cross-sectional, correlational design.

Setting

Institutional practice.

Participants

Subjects included patients with knee OA (N=182; age, mean ± SD, 63.9±8.8y; 122 women).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-report measures of function included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, the Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS), and the Knee Outcome Survey-Activity of Daily Living Scale. The Get Up and Go test was used as a physical performance measure of function. Self-report measures for psychologic variables included the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire-Physical Activity Scale modified for the knee.

Results

Higher anxiety was related to poorer function on the WOMAC physical function. Both high anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs were related to poorer function on the LEFS and Knee Outcome Survey-Activity of Daily Living Scale. There was no association between the psychologic variables and the Get Up and Go test. The anxiety × depression interaction was associated with the LEFS.

Conclusions

Anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with self-report measures of function in patients with knee OA. Depression may influence scores on the LEFS under conditions of low anxiety.     

负重位负重位数字化摄影对膝前内侧骨关节炎的影像诊断价值

[目的]探讨负重位数字化摄影技术(DR)对内侧骨关节炎的影像诊断价值.[方法]回顾性分析本院骨病科行单髁关节置换术的80例患者共计94膝的术前负重位DR片资料,以术中诊断对胫骨平台软骨的磨损程度为参考分为两组,轻度组的胫骨平台软骨磨损范围局限于内侧前1/2;重度组的胫骨平台软骨磨损范围超出内侧前1/2.通过负重位DR片测量内侧关节间隙及关节面夹角数据,分析其与术中诊断的关系.[结果]重度组关节间隙比值明显低于轻度组,关节面夹角明显高于轻度组,其差异具均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);关节间隙比值与胫骨平台软骨磨损程度呈显著负相关(P＜0.05),关节面夹角与胫骨平台软骨磨损程度呈显著正相关(P＜0.05).[结论]负重位DR对术前膝前内侧骨关节炎诊断准确性良好,对手术治疗具有一定指导意义.     

Moving to Maintain Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence From the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Dunlop DD, Semanik P, Song J, Sharma L, Nevitt M, Mysiw J, Chang RW, for the Osteoarthritis Initiative Investigators. Moving to maintain function in knee osteoarthritis: evidence from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objectives

To investigate the association between baseline physical activity and 1-year functional performance in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Prospective cohort study of knee OA development and progression with 1-year follow-up.

Setting

Community.

Participants

Osteoarthritis Initiative public data on adults with knee OA (n=2274; age, 45-79y) who participated in functional performance assessments (timed 20-m walk and chair stand test) at baseline and 1-year follow-up.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

A good 1-year performance outcome (separately defined for walk time and chair stand measures) was improvement from baseline quintile or maintenance in the best quintile.

Results

Almost 2 in 5 persons with radiographic knee OA improved or maintained high performance at 1 year. Physical activity measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was significantly associated with good walk rate and chair stand outcomes (odds ratio per 40 units PASE [95% confidence interval]=1.13 [1.13, 1.17] and 1.10 [1.05, 1.15], respectively), as were participation in sports/recreational activities (1.45 [1.23, 1.71] and 1.29 [1.09, 1.51], respectively) and lifestyle activities (1.11 [1.06, 1.16] and 1.09 [1.04, 1.14], respectively). An independent protective relationship for these physical activity measures approached significance after adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors. Older adults reported the least baseline physical activity and least frequent good 1-year outcomes.

Conclusions

These findings support public health recommendations to be physically active in order to preserve function for persons with knee OA. Physical activity messages should specifically target older adults whose low activity levels may jeopardize their ability to maintain functional performance.     

Physical Function in Hip Osteoarthritis: Relationship to Isometric Knee Extensor Steadiness

Pua Y-H, Clark RA, Bryant AL. Physical function in hip osteoarthritis: relationship to isometric knee extensor steadiness.

Objective

To evaluate, in a community hip osteoarthritis sample, the cross-sectional associations of isometric strength and steadiness of the knee extensors and their interaction with physical performance measures of physical function.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Human movement laboratory of a university.

Participants

Sixty-seven adults (27 men and 40 women; age, 61±10y) with radiographically confirmed symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Participants performed isometric knee extensor steadiness and strength testing on a dynamometer. Physical function was assessed by using the habitual timed walk test and the self- and fast-paced stair-climbing tests.

Results

In the hierarchical regression models, although there were clear main effects of knee extensor steadiness on fast-paced stair performance, greater knee steadiness predictively associated with faster stair-climbing performance particularly in individuals with high knee extensor strength. In contrast, knee extensor steadiness was not related to gait speed regardless of knee extensor strength levels.

Conclusions

In patients with hip OA, knee extensor steadiness was positively associated with stair-climbing performance, particularly in those with high levels of knee extensor strength. These findings are of importance in developing intervention strategies, but they call for further study.     

Minimal Detectable Change in Quadriceps Strength and Voluntary Muscle Activation in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Kean CO, Birmingham TB, Garland SJ, Bryant DM, Giffin JR. Minimal detectable change in quadriceps strength and voluntary muscle activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective

To examine the test-retest reliability and quantify the minimal detectable change (MDC) in quadriceps strength and voluntary activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Repeated measures over a 1-week interval.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Participants

A convenience sample of patients (N=20) diagnosed with knee OA.

Intervention

Isokinetic and isometric quadriceps strength testing and voluntary quadriceps activation testing using interpolated twitch technique.

Main Outcome Measures

Peak isokinetic and isometric knee extension torque (Nm) and percentage of voluntary quadriceps activation (%).

Results

The mean differences with 95% confidence intervals between the 2 test sessions for quadriceps isokinetic strength, isometric strength, and percent of voluntary activation were −4.34Nm (−14.01 to 5.34Nm), 1.56Nm (−5.56 to 8.68Nm), and 1.34% (−.53 to 3.22%), respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients for all measures ranged from .93 to .98. The standard errors of measurement (SEMs) for quadriceps isokinetic and isometric strength were 14.57Nm and 10.76Nm, respectively. The SEM for percentage of voluntary activation was 2.84%. Based on these values, the MDCs were 33.90Nm, 25.02Nm, and 6.60% for quadriceps isokinetic strength, isometric strength, and percentage of voluntary activation, respectively.

Conclusions

Maximal quadriceps isokinetic strength, isometric strength, and percentage of voluntary activation measures demonstrate excellent test-retest reliability in patients with knee OA. In addition to research applications, the present findings suggest these measures are appropriate for use when evaluating change in neuromuscular function of the quadriceps in individual patients.     

Effect of Continuous Compression Stimulation on Pressure-Pain Threshold and Muscle Spasms in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of continuous compression stimulation on pressure-pain threshold and muscle spasms in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.

玻璃酸钠关节腔内注射治疗老年膝骨关节炎的临床疗效

【目的】探讨玻璃酸钠关节腔内注射治疗老年膝骨关节炎的临床疗效。【方法】120例老年膝骨关节炎患者随机分为治疗组及对照组各60例。对照组患者给予基本治疗,包括口服盐酸氨基葡萄糖胶囊以及理疗。治疗组在基本治疗基础上行膝关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠,每周1次,5周为一疗程。比较两组患者JOA评分、关节功能、下肢肌力、步态等情况,记录不良反应发生情况。【结果】和治疗前相比,治疗1个月及治疗3个月后两组患者的膝骨关节joA评分均有较大改善,且差异有显著性（P〈O．01）,治疗后3个月,治疗组患者膝骨关节JOA评分改善程度均优于时照组,且差异有显著性（81．65±3．96VS60．58±4．38,P〈0．01）;治疗后6个月治疗组患者显效率及总有效率明显高于对照组,且差异有显著性（88．33％VS78．33％,P〈0．01）;和对照组相比,治疗过程中治疗组下肢乏力及血压升高总发生率明显降低,且两组相比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。【结论】与常规基本治疗相比,膝关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠治疗老年膝骨关节炎更有效,不良反应减少,用药安全,值得临床推广。     

Mechanical and Sensorimotor Implications With Ankle Osteoarthritis

Hubbard TJ, Hicks-Little C, Cordova M. Mechanical and sensorimotor implications with ankle osteoarthritis.

Objective

To understand the mechanical and sensorimotor adaptations that may occur with ankle osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Case-control.

Setting

Biodynamics research laboratory.

Participants

Subjects with ankle OA (n=8; 4 males, 4 females) were matched to healthy controls (n=8; 4 males, 4 females).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Mechanical joint stability was assessed with an instrumented ankle arthrometer. Static balance was measured using a force platform during a double-legged stance. Isometric ankle/foot complex strength in the sagittal and frontal plane was assessed with a handheld dynamometer. Last, subjective level of function was assessed using the foot and ankle disability index.

Results

There were significant group × side interactions for anterior displacement, inversion rotation, eversion rotation, ankle isometric strength, and the foot and ankle disability index (P<.05). The affected ankle of the OA group demonstrated significantly more mechanical stiffness, more impairments in ankle/foot isometric strength, and less subjective level of function than the matched controls. Additionally, the ankle OA group exhibited significantly more center of pressure displacement, total velocity, and medial-lateral velocity (P<.05).

Conclusions

These limitations observed in joint laxity, postural control, muscle strength, and perceived function provide evidence that patients with ankle OA display a number of characteristics that affect joint stability and overall function. These identified impairments necessitate the need for rehabilitation and exercise programs to be developed to help improve joint stability and function in patients with ankle OA.     

Prevalence and Predictors of Symptom Resolution and Functional Restoration in the Index Knee After Knee Arthroplasty: A Longitudinal Study

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of a 1- to 2-year postsurgical pain-free state and pain plus symptom-free state as well as functional restoration after knee arthroplasty (KA) and to identify predictors of these outcomes.