Impact of Knee Osteoarthritis on Muscle Force, Function and Quality of Life

Abstract

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis is the most frequent localization of osteoarthritis, and the incidence of its symptomatic form is estimated at 240/100000 persons per year.1 Furthermore, we estimate that more than 80% of people aged over 55 undergo knee radiological modifications related to osteoarthritis, even outside all symptomalogy. 2International recommendations show the benefit of physical exercise and in particular that of muscular reinforcement and of personalized physical exercise in the therapeutic care of osteoarthritis.3,4 It improves functional capacities such as walking and other daily activities and reduces pain.Isokinetism allows a functional diagnosis by specifying the degree of incapacity and performance deficiencies. The analysis of collected data enables us to personalize rehabilitative treatment by locating specifically the sectors in which muscular reinforcement must be done. 5 The objective of this study is to evaluate the isokinetic muscular benefit to the patient with knee osteoarthritis in comparison with a group of patients who are healthy and free of any pathology at the level of the knee, as welle as to evaluate the impact of knee osteoarthritis on the functioning and the quality of life of our patients. Material and methods General description of the studyIt is a prospective, descriptive and analytical cohort study that lasted 6 months, and undertaken on 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis in comparison with 15 healthy subjects from the general population, collected at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, in Casablanca. Inclusion criteriaAs for the group of patients, the ones included in the study were patients with a clinical bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and confirmed by radiology. As for the control group, the ones included were subjects who are free of any pathology relative to the lower limbs. Exclusion criteriaThe ones who were excluded from the study were patients with a contraindication to isokinetism or presenting a severe pain or having a unilateral knee osteoarthritis, as well as patients with an advanced level of knee osteoarthritis (the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) classification). 6 Clinical evaluationThe questionnaire enabled us to collect sociodemographic data, antecedents, and functional signs. A programmed clinical examination of knees of all evaluated subjects was carried out. The paraclinical checkup included standard knee radiographies, allowing a radiological Kellgren and Lawrence classification of the knee osteoarthritis. The scales of evaluationWe administered various scales of evaluations to our patients; thus, AbstractIntroduction: isokinetics is a reference method for evaluation of muscle strength. It enables a functional diagnosis by specifying levels of disability and performance deficits in the subject with knee osteoarthritis.