Effects of Osteoarthritis and Fatigue on Proprioception of the Knee Joint

Bayramoglu M, Toprak R, Sozay S. Effects of osteoarthritis and fatigue on proprioception of the knee joint.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and periarticular muscular fatigue on knee joint kinesthesia.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic.ParticipantsFifty patients with bilateral OA of the knee, and a control group of 30 age-matched healthy volunteers.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Kellgren-Lawrence grading system was used to determine the radiographic severity of knee OA. The Lequesne index of severity for knee osteoarthritis was used for assessment of pain, kinesthesia was measured by determining angle reposition error at the knee joint using isokinetic dynamometry, and muscle strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometry.ResultsReposition errors did not differ between the patient and the control groups, nor did they differ between pre- and postexercise.ConclusionsMild-to-moderate OA of the knees does not affect reposition error. Fatigue produced by mild-to-moderate exercise also has no effect on reposition error.