Effects of Viscosupplementation on Quality of Knee Joint Arthrokinematic Motion Analyzed by Vibroarthrography

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the influence of viscosupplementation on osteoarthritic knee arthrokinematics analyzed by VAG. It is considered that intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection may improve the function of synovial joints by recovery of friction-reducing properties of articular environment. Design Thirty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis (grade II according to the Kellgren-Lawrence system) and 50 asymptomatic subjects were enrolled in the study. Patients were analyzed at 3 time points: 1 day before and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after single injection of 1.5% cross-linked hyaluronate. Control subjects were tested once. The vibroarthrographic signals were collected during knee flexion/extension motion using an accelerator and described by variation of mean square (VMS), mean range (R5), and power spectral density for frequency of 50 to 250 Hz (P1), and 250 to 450 Hz (P2). Results Patients before viscosupplementation were characterized by about 2-fold higher values of vibroarthrographic parameters than controls. Two weeks after the procedure, the values of R5, P1, and P2 significantly decreased, in comparison to pre-injection. At 4 weeks post-injection, we noted a significant increase in R5, P1, and P2 values, when compared to 2 weeks post-injection. Finally, at 4 weeks post-injection, the level of VMS, R5, and P2 parameters did not differ from values obtained at pre-injection. Conclusions We showed that viscosupplementation may be effective in providing arthrokinematics improvement, but with a relatively short period of duration. This phenomenon is observed as decreased vibroacoustic emission, which reflects a more smooth movement in the joint.

Acoustic Monitoring of Joint Health

“…The methodological aspects of acoustic assessments, such as sensor placement and outcomes measures have not been thoroughly investigated allowing doubt in the technique to remain. For instance, for knee investigations, many studies [73,81,101] favour what may be called an open kinematic chain configuration [102] whereby participants sit in a chair and lift their legs in a repetitive fashion, perhaps with weights attached. This has the advantage of being able to vary the load on the joint and allow for the inclusion of participants with advanced degenerative conditions or injuries affecting the limitation of the range of motion in the joint.…”

Vibroarthrographic analysis of patellofemoral joint arthrokinematics during squats with increasing external loads

“…Both variability (VMS) and amplitude (R4) of representative signals are characterized by [18,38]. In turn, low spectral activity analyzed by summing spectral power of the VAG signal in two bands: 50-250 Hz (P1) and 250-450 Hz (P2) seems to be related with intact integrity of the superficial layer of hyaline cartilage and an efficient lubrication mechanism [37,45]. Nonetheless, in the present study we predominantly focused on the impact of the external load on the quality of PFJ arthrokinematic motion.…”

Vibroarthrographic analysis of patellofemoral joint arthrokinematics during squats with increasing external loads

“…Especially the low values of the R4 parameter that indicate a lack of repetitive large peaks, whose presence often corresponds with macroscopic joint cartilage abnormalities or signi cant maltracking of articular surfaces [18,37]. In turn, low spectral activity analyzed by summing spectral power of the VAG signal in two bands: 50-250 Hz (P1) and 250-450 Hz (P2) seems to be related with intact integrity of the super cial layer of hyaline cartilage and an e cient lubrication mechanism [36,44].…”