SUMMARY
Introduction. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a known public health problem. It is a chronic degenerative joint disorder that is more prevalent in India. Weak core may be a result of increased knee loading. Therefore, it may be a factor that leads to the occurrence of OA knee and a reason for the increase in the progression of diseases. As osteoarthritis of the knee is more prevalent in older people (about 70%). The classic representation of OA knee is within the age of 40 to mid-50s.
Objectives. The purpose of the article is 1) to explain the prevalence of core strength in OA knee subjects; 2) to highlight the relationship between core strength and physical function; and 3) to summarize the evidence examining the effectiveness of exercises in improving core strength in subjects with OA knee.
Methods. This case-control study was done among 190 subjects, including males and females of age above 40 years among which 95 subjects with mild to moderate OA (grade 1 and 2) and 95 matched healthy controls were included using a method of convenient sampling. Subjects were exposed to a core stability assessment consisting of a Pressure Biofeedback unit and the KOOS Physical function scale was used to measure the strength of the core and physical performance respectively in individuals with OA knee.
Results. A total of 95 adults participated in this study. The overall mean age of the participants was 55.26 ± 4.3 years, the mean BMI was 27.4212 ± 3.68, and the mean score of the self-reported KOOS physical function score was 68.34 ± 18.34. The final multivariate logistic model predicted that the cases were about 7 times more likely to demonstrate poor core strength with the estimates: AOR 6.95, 95%CI 2.4-11.0. The odds of cases being overweight or obese class II were more likely (AOR 2.83, 95%CI 1.56-5.39 or AOR 3.53, 95 CI 2.1-12.85).
Conclusions. A higher proportion of patients living with osteoarthritis of the knee were observed to have poor core stability compared to their counterparts. This finding implies the importance of considering the evaluation of core strength among OA knee patients, and we also propose the inclusion of core exercise regimes in the OA knee physical rehabilitation programs.
Study registration. The trial was prospectively register at Clinical Trial Registry of India, CTRI/2023/04/051550.
KEY WORDS
BMI; core muscle strength; KOOS-PS Physical function; lumbo-pelvic stability; osteoarthritis of knee; Pressure bio-feedback unit.