Factors associated with upper leg muscle strength in knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review
Arjan H de Zwart, Joost Dekker, Willem Lems, Leo D. Roorda, Martin van der Esch, Marike van der Leeden
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: a.d.zwart@reade.nl
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2284
Lay Abstract
Muscle weakness is common in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA). Those patients with weaker upper leg muscles have more pain and are limited to greater extend in their daily activities. In order to better understand which factors contribute to muscle weakness in knee and hip OA, an important first step is to get insight in which factors are associated with muscle strength. Based on the findings in the scientific literature, we created an overview of factors related to muscle strength. We found consistent evidence that lower muscle quality (i.e. more intramuscular fat ), physical inactivity, more severe degeneration of the joint, and more pain were associated with lower muscle strength in the upper leg in patients with knee OA. To date, it is unclear whether factors such as muscle quantity (i.e. lower muscle mass), muscle activation, nutrition and vitamin intake, and inflammation are associated with muscle strength in knee OA. More research is required to clarify the relations between these factors and muscle strength. Since only a limited number of studies have been found in hip OA, more research is needed on all factors in hip OA.
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