Ahmed Rustum, PhD., MSc., PGD., Director of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, Bahrain.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between extension and flexion knee torque and EMG activity versus pain and radiculogical grading in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Method: Sixty-nine (37 female, 32 male) patients participated in the study with one or the worse leg (mean age 65.2years, mean height 167.1 cm, mean weight 82.6 kg). Isometric knee extension and flexion torques were measured by a strain-gauge built-in a leg support of a modified chair at 300, 600, and 900-knee flexion. EMG activity for quadriceps and hamstring muscles was recorded during isometric knee contractions. The intensity of pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), and radiological grading was measured using Kellgren and Lawrence radiological assessment of osteoarthritis. Data Management: The data was analyzed using Spearman Correlation Coefficients. Scatter plots were applied to illustrate correlations between the variables. Result: This study showed weak negative correlations between torque and EMG activity with pain, and radiological grading.
Conclusion: The results support the assumption that osteoathritis is multifactorial condition in which its outcome variables are not associated with each other.