Hip strength deficits in people with knee osteoarthritis
A complete understanding of deficits in hip strength common amongst those with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may provide a promising scope for targeted and individualised rehabilitation. The current body of literature pertaining to the issue is limited to research with small sample sizes and conflicting outcomes. The goal of the current systematic review was to determine whether people with symptomatic knee OA experienced deficits in hip strength.
Only five studies met the inclusion criteria. Weaker isometric and isokinetic hip abduction strength in people with knee OA was supported by moderate quality-evidence. ‘Moderate’ was defined as 7-24% weaker. There was very low-quality evidence of no difference in isometric hip adduction strength. The remaining planes of hip motion had very low- to moderate-quality evidence for weaker isokinetic strength.
On a whole, it would appear that people with symptomatic knee OA present with deficits in isometric and isokinetic hip abduction strength in comparison to healthy controls. To determine whether hip strength is a risk factor for the onset of knee OA, prospective studies are required. Nevertheless, baseline hip strength assessment is recommended in the clinical setting amongst those diagnosed with knee OA. Further studies are required to investigate the association between the magnitude of hip strength deficits and the stage of development of knee OA.
> From: Deasy et al., J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 46 (2016) 629-639. All rights reserved to Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.Click here for the Pubmed summary.
