Iranian Journal of Biomedical Engineering (IJBME)
نشریه علمی مهندسی پزشکی زیستی

Investigating the Effect of Muscle Co-Contraction in Providing Stability while Standing in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Document Type : Full Research Paper

Authors

Zahra Yaghmaei 1
Iman Hosseini 2
Mohammed N. Ashtiani 3

1 M.Sc. Student, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 M.Sc., Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22041/ijbme.2024.2028321.1898
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent chronic musculoskeletal disorder that has a significant impact on postural stability and increases the risk of falls. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis often experience pain and proprioceptive deficits, highlighting the importance of muscle contraction in maintaining stability. Visual feedback also plays a crucial role in balance maintenance, particularly on unstable surfaces. This study aims to explore the co-contraction index of knee and ankle muscles in patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis while standing on an unstable surface, with and without visual feedback. A cross-sectional study involving 28 participants (14 men with knee osteoarthritis and 14 healthy men) was conducted to assess postural control during standing on an unstable surface with eyes open and closed. Electromyography with surface electrodes was utilized to measure the activity of seven muscles during the standing tests. The findings revealed that knee osteoarthritis leads to distinct changes in the co-contraction patterns of the ankle and knee joints. Closing the eyes during the tests resulted in increased ankle co-contraction variability and decreased knee and ankle joint co-contraction patterns. The co-contraction differential zeros cross of knee muscles with eyes open exhibited a significant positive correlation with the WOMAC questionnaire score (p = 0.048, r = 0.52). The central nervous system compensates for reduced co-contraction in the knee joint of individuals with knee osteoarthritis by adjusting the co-contraction rate of ankle muscles to prevent falls. The study also demonstrated increased instability when visual feedback was removed, emphasizing the role of visual cues in balance maintenance. The significant correlation between disease severity and co-contraction changes suggests that the body utilizes ankle muscles as a compensatory mechanism in response to knee pain.

Keywords

Knee Osteoarthritis
Muscle Co-Contraction
Stability
Articular Pain

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Biomedical Engineering (IJBME)
Volume 17, Issue 3
Autumn 2023
Pages 273-283

  • Receive Date 06 May 2024
  • Revise Date 03 July 2024
  • Accept Date 18 July 2024

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