Comparison of Quadriceps to Hamstring Strength Ratio in Patients with Osteoarthritis of Knee and Healthy Adults Asgaonkar Bharati1, Bane Jui2,* 1Associate Professor, Physiotherapy School and Center TNMC and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central 2Masters of Physiotherapy Student, Physiotherapy School and center TNMC and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central *Corresponding Author: Jui Vijay Bane, Masters of Physiotherapy Student, Physiotherapy School and center, TNMC and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central Contact No. 9619640661. Email id: juibane13@gmail.com
Online published on 11 July, 2019. Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, affecting the weight bearing joints, knee being the most commonly affected. Quadriceps weakness is found to be one of the factors associated with Osteoarthritis of knee, along with other contributing factors like, age, heredity, biochemical changes in articular cartilage, obesity and biomechanical compressive loads that lead to joint damage. Many studies in the management of Osteoarthritis of knee emphasize on the strengthening of Quadriceps, however, little attention is given to the hamstrings muscle. An optimal quadriceps to hamstring strength ratio is required for effective functioning of the knee joint, which is not studied adequately in the literature. Objectives Weakness is said to be one of the risk factors for the onset as well as the progression of osteoarthritis. Weakness of the muscles around the knee joint, thus need to be evaluated in details as it can be easily ameliorated as compared to other non- modifiable risk factor like age or gender. Method It is a cross-sectional observational study, with a total of 132 subjects. 66 patients with bilateral Osteoarthritis of knee and 66 age and gender matched controls. The quadriceps and hamstring isometric strength were assessed using the Baseline Hydraulic Hand held dynamometer. The radiological severity of OA knee was assessed by a senior radiologist of the institute, using the Kellgren Lawrence scale; which was co-related with the Q:H ratio. Conclusion The ratio of isometric strength of Quadriceps to Hamstring is significantly lower in patients with osteoarthritis of knee as compared to healthy adults. There is no co-relation of Quadriceps to hamstring strength ratio and radiological severity of Osteoarthritis of knee. Top Keywords Knee Osteoarthritis, Quadriceps to hamstring ratio, Hand held dynamometer, Kellgren Lawrence Scale. Top |