The role of hip abductor strength on the frontal plane of gait in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of hip abductor strength with external hip and knee adduction moments, pain and physical function, and trunk, pelvis, and hip kinematics in the frontal plane during walking in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Twenty-five subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis were evaluated through an isokinetic strength test for hip abductor, three-dimensional gait analysis (kinetics and kinematics), pain and physical function scores. Regression models were used to control the influence of other parameters such as pain, age, gender, severity, walking speed, mass and height. Results: No relationship was found of hip abductor strength with peak of external knee adduction moment and knee adduction angular impulse. Hip abductor strength explained 17% of contralateral pelvic drop and 21% of hip adduction angle. In addition, hip abductor strength explained 4% and 1% of the variance in the WOMAC physical function score and 40 meter fast paced walk test, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the relationship of hip abductor strength with contralateral pelvic drop and hip adduction angle, specific exercises might improve physical function and lower limb dynamic alignment during gait

The relationship between urinary C-Telopeptide fragments of type II collagen, knee joint load, pain, and physical function in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis

Objective: Considering the osteoarthritis (OA) model that integrates the biological, mechanical, and structural components of the disease, the present study aimed to investigate the association between urinary C-Telopeptide fragments of type II collagen (uCTX-II), knee joint moments, pain, and physical function in individuals with medial knee OA. Methods: Twenty-five subjects radiographically diagnosed with knee OA were recruited. Participants were evaluated through three-dimensional gait analysis, uCTX-II level, the WOMAC pain and physical function scores, and the 40m walk test. The association between these variables was investigated using Pearson´s product-moment correlation, followed by a hierarchical linear regression, controlled by OA severity and body mass index (BMI). Results: No relationship was found between uCTX-II level and knee moments. A significant correlation between uCTX-II level and pain, physical function, and the 40m walk test was found. The hierarchical linear regression controlling for OA severity and BMI showed that uCTX-II level explained 9% of the WOMAC pain score, 27% of the WOMAC physical function score, and 7% of the 40m walk test. Conclusion: Greater uCTX-II level is associated with higher pain and reduced physical function and 40m walk test performance in individuals with medial knee OA

Geometric morphometrics reveals shifts in flower shape symmetry and size following gene knockdown of CYCLOIDEA and ANTHOCYANIDIN SYNTHASE

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