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

Prevalence of sport injuries during the 53th Regional Games in Franca (SP), Brazil Prevalência de lesões esportivas durante os 53os Jogos Regionais em Franca (SP), Brasil

The purpose of this study was to perform a survey about the prevalence, type and location of the injuries occurred in athletes of different modalities during the 53th Regional Games held in 2009. A total of 182 injured athletes being treated at the physical therapy clinic were included. Physical Therapy evaluation was performed to determine the anatomic location and type of injury, as well the sport modality. The results showed that mean age, height, weight and BMI were 23 years (±5.9), 1.73 m (±0.11), 71 kg (±14.22) and 24 kg/m² (±4) respectively. Proportionality to the number of athletes, handball athletes presented with higher number of injuries (4.25%), followed by indoor soccer players (3.7%), basketball (2.48%), volleyball (1.72%) and soccer (1.63%). The most common type of injury were sprains with 29.7% of cases (n=54) and mostly from soccer players; followed by contracture - 26.9% (n=49), mostly from basketball players; and contusion -25.8% (n=47), mostly from handball and indoor soccer players. The type of injury showed a significant association with the sports modality (p=0.0016). The lower limbs accounted for 71.4% of all injuries including knee (23.1%), ankle (18.1%), thigh (17.0%), leg (10.4%) and spine (9.9%). Preventive actions to avoid athletes' injury should be implemented in order to reduce the number of injuries in sports competitions such as in the Regional Games.<br>O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a prevalência, tipo e localização anatômica das lesões nos atletas durante os 53os Jogos Regionais de 2009. No total, 182 atletas participaram do estudo. A avaliação fisioterápica incluiu dados como local e tipo de lesão e modalidade esportiva. Os resultados mostraram que a média de idade, altura, peso e IMC foram respectivamente 23 anos (±5,9), 1,73 m (±0,11), 71 kg (±14,22) e 24 kg/m² (±4). Proporcionalmente ao número de atletas, o handball foi a modalidade esportiva que apresentou maior número de lesões (4,25%), seguidos pelos atletas de futsal (3,70%), de basquete (2,48%), de voleibol (1,72%) e de futebol (1,63%). O tipo de lesão mais comum foi entorse com 29,7% dos casos (n=54), ocorridos com maior frequência em jogadores de futebol; seguido de contratura - 26,9% (n=49), ocorridos com maior frequência em jogadores de basquete; e contusão - 25,8% (n=47), ocorridos com maior frequência em jogadores de handball e futsal. O tipo de lesão mostrou significativa associação com o tipo de esporte praticado pelo atleta (p=0,0016). Os membros inferiores representaram 71,4% de todas as lesões, sendo o joelho o local mais acometido, com 23,1% dos casos, seguido do tornozelo - 18,1%, coxa - 17%, perna - 10,4% e coluna vertebral - 9,9%. Programas de prevenção para os atletas devem ser desenvolvidos e implantados a fim de reduzir o número de lesões em competições esportivas como os Jogos Regionais