Temporal activity of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Knee osteoarthritis has a major impact on quadriceps function, yet its effect on the specific temporal recruitment of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the electromyographic onset of vastus medialis obliquus activity relative to that of vastus lateralis in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and in an asymptomatic control group during the functional task of stair climbing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, comprising 41 participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and 33 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in the timing of onset of vastus medialis obl..