Gait and muscle strength characteristics in total knee arthroplasty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome before and six months after surgery

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gait and muscle strength characteristics in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) before and six months after surgery. Eight patients (4 men and 4 women) aged 58–77 years with PFPS following unilateral TKA who had primary degenerative knee OA participated in the study before and six months after reoperation.In patients was registered the active range of motion (AROM) of knee extension and flexion, hip abduction and adduction. Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IMVC) force of knee flexors, extensors, abductors and adductors was measured and gait kinematic characteristics and kinetic characteristics of knee joint were recorded. Knee flexion AROM in the involved leg was significantly lower (p<0.05) as compared to the uninvolved leg pre- and post-surgery. The patients had greater (p<0.05) hip abduction AROM and significant increase (31%, p<0.05) of IMVC force of the involved legʼs hip abductors postoperatively as compared before surgery. Six months after surgery 38 H. Gapeyeva et al. a significant (p<0.05) improvement of gait spatiotemporal characteristics (increase of swing time and stride length (p<0.05), together with decrease of stance time and cadence, as well increase of stride length) was noted in the involved leg. In TKA patients 6 months after reoperation due to PFPS the knee joint function in involved leg was significantly improved and the positive changes in gait with comfortablevelocity took place as compared before surgery

Rearfoot kinematics in distance runners: association with overuse injuries

Distance runners suffer often from overuse injures, caused by excessive pronation or supinating foot. The purpose of this study was to compare the rearfoot kinematics and the questionnaire results of incidences of overuse injuries symptoms. Fourteen distance runners, who were distributed into the more-symptomatic (MSL, n = 7) and less-symptomatic (LSL, n = 7) groups according to the questionnaire participated in this study. The subjects ran at average speed 3.79 m·s–1 on the 5,8 m runway with four markers set on rearfoot and shank, and kinematics were determined using the motion analysis system with 6 and 8 cameras. For the rearfoot kinematics analysis the angles between calcaneus and shank in both legs were measured: angle at impact; maximum angle; the pronation amplitude; time from impact to maximum angle; time from maximum angle to toe-off supination. The pronation amplitude in the right foot was greater (p < 0.05) in MSL compared to LSL group (5.5º and 8.2º, respectively; p = 0.02). The other measured parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. We concluded that the variations in rearfoot kinematics cannot be the reasons for causing the symptoms of overuse and their origin should be searched from training errors

Postural control and vertical jumping performance in adolescent and adult male basketball players

The purpose of this study was to compare postural control and vertical jumping performance characteristics in adolescent and adult male basketball players. Forty nine male basketball players participated in this study. They were distributed into three groups: (1) young adolescents (YA; with mean age 15.4±0.7 yrs), (2) old adolescents (OA; 17.9±1.2 yrs), and (3) adults (AD; 25.9±3.7 yrs). Static standing balance during bi- and unipedal standing and vertical jumping characteristics were measured on a force platform. AD basketball players had significantly (p<0.05) higher vertical jumping height and power development per unit of body mass as compared to YA and OA group; OA group outperformed YA group as well. Static standing stability was better in AD group than YA and OA group. There were no significant differences between YA and OA groups in static standing balance test. Age and sports participation were significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with vertical jumping height and power. Anthropometrical characteristics and sports participation were all significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated with centre of pressure trace length during bi- and unipedal standing. No significant correlation was observed between balance and vertical jumping characteristics. It was concluded that in male basketball players the improvement in vertical jumping performance and static standing balance during bipedal stance are influenced by sports participation and maturation, whereas static standing balance during unipedal stance is not affected by aforementioned factors

Leg extensor muscle voluntary isometric force production capacity in children with spastic diplegia

The aim of this study was to compare the isometric force production capacity of the leg extensor muscles in 9–12-year-old children with spastic diplegia (SD; 11 girls and 10 boys) and age- and gendermatched nondisabled children (11 girls and 10 boys). Isometric maximal voluntary contraction force of the leg extensor muscles was measured during unilateral and bilateral contractions (leg press exercise) using custom-made dynamometric chair. Children with SD had significantly (p<0.05) lower isometric maximal force during bilateral and unilateral contractions compared with healthy children. Bilateral strength deficit did not differ significantly in children with and without SD. No significant correlations between isometric force characteristics of the leg extensor muscles and anthropometric parameters were observed in children with SD. These results indicated that in children with SD, isometric voluntary force-generating capacity of the leg extensor muscles during bilateral and unilateral contractions is markedly reduced, whereas bilateral strength deficit is not differ compared with age- and gender-matched healthy children

Changes in hip muscle strength after proximal femoral fracture in elderly women

Hip muscle weakness is an often-occurring condition after displaced fractures of the proximal femur in older patients. The aim of this study was to compare hip muscle strength and pain in elderly female patients after proximal femoral fracture. Nine female patients (mean±SD of 71.4±3.9 yrs) participated in this study. Knee extensor, hip abductor and adductor muscle strength was evaluated with handheld dynamometer Lafayette (USA) during the first week of postoperative stay in hospital, and 6 months postfracture with fractured and nonfractured leg. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale. A week after the operation knee extensor, hip abductor and adductor muscle isometric muscle strength for the fractured leg was decreased (p<0.05) by 50.7%, 55.6% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to the nonfractured limb. At 6-month follow-up, hip muscle strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) in both the fractured and nonfractured leg. Hip muscle strength for the fractured leg was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared with the nonfractured leg 6 months after surgery. Pain score was significantly (p<0.05) higher during the first postoperative week as compared to 6 months follow-up.It was concluded that voluntary maximal isometric force-generating capacity of knee and hip muscles for the fractured leg was markedly increased 1 week and 6 months postoperatively. Isometric force-generating capacity for the fractured leg was significantly improved by 6 months follow-up

Knee pain and postural stability in women with gonarthrosis before and six months after unilateral total knee replacement

The aim of this study was to investigate knee pain and postural stability in women with knee osteoarthritis (OA), who used postoperative home exercise program (HEP) with balance exercises. 14 women with knee OA in stage III–IV (aged 48–70 years) participated in this study before and 6 months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). All patients performed HEP during 6 months after unilateral TKA. Data of patients was compared with healthy age-matched women (controls, n=10).Postural stability characteristics (centre of pressure (COP) displacement in the anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) direction, COP sway equivalent radius and area) during 30 s bipedal standing (eyes open) were recorded on two dynamographic force plates. Pain in knee joint was estimated with visual-analogue scale. COP displacement in AP direction of the operated and non-operated leg was greater (p<0.05) in women with knee OA before and 6 months after TKA compared to the controls. Knee joint pain in the operated leg reduced 70% after TKA. TKA together with HEP has an important role in preserving postural stability and reducing knee joint pain in women with III–IV stage gonarthrosis