Quadriceps muscle weakness influences the gait pattern in women with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent rheumatic disease in the population and is characterized by limitation of main functional activities of daily living, as the gait. Muscle strength is a variable that may be related to performance in daily tasks.Therefore, we to analyze the gait pattern in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to determine associations of gait variables with the level of muscle strength of knee extensors. Methods: Sixty-seven female volunteers divided into 2 groups, a KOA group (KOAG, n = 36, 66.69 ± 7.69 years) and control (n = 31, 63.68 ± 6.97 years), participated in the study. The volunteers walked on a 10-m platform at their usual gait speed, using 2 pressure sensors positioned at the base of the hallux and calcaneus. The mean step time, support and double support times, swing time and gait speed were calculated. The evaluation of the quadriceps isometric torque was performed in an extensor chair, with hip and knee flexion at 90°. The procedure consisted of three maximal contractions of knee extension. Peak torque was determined by the highest torque value obtained after the onset of muscle contraction. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used, with p < 0.05. Results: The KOAG had a 54.76% longer support time, a 13% longer step time (p < 0.001), a 30% decrease in swing time (p < 0.001) and a 10.7% decrease in gait speed (p = 0.001) compared with controls. The quadriceps isometric torque was 34% (p = 0.001) lower in the KOAG. There was a correlation between kinematic variables and quadriceps torque. Conclusion: Weakness of the quadriceps muscle in women with KOA influences gait pattern, resulting in reduced speed associated with a shorter swing time and longer support time.

Relationship between Knee Muscle Strength and Fat/Muscle Mass in Elderly Women with Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

“…The muscle force around the knee joint played an important role in maintaining the stability of the knee joint. It could prevent the occurrence or further development of KOA [29]. By contrast, loss of muscle mass led to a decrease in muscle force, which may cause KOA [10].…”

Correlation between lower limb muscle asymmetry during the sit-to-stand task and spatiotemporal gait asymmetry in subjects with stroke

“…Quadriceps weakness can decrease shock absorption capacity during walking, leading to accentuated symptoms and changes in gait patterns to maintain functionality (Clermont and Barden, 2016). Spinoso et al (2018) reported that knee extensor strength is correlated with step time, and suggested that muscle weakness results in temporal changes in gait. Considering the present study's results, it seems that the asymmetry of RF muscle activity during STS affects the step time asymmetry during walking in stroke patients.…”

The Implication of Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is known as a chronic degenerative disease and a significant public health issue worldwide; the economic burden associated with it rises with population aging in most countries [ 1 ]. It is one of the prevalent causes of disability, extensively affecting patients’ quality of life [ 2 ]. Whereas KOA used to be considered a geriatric pathology, lately, it has been recorded among ever-younger patients [ 3 ].…”