The association of quadriceps strength with the knee adduction moment in medial knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationship between quadriceps strength and the peak knee adduction moment during walking in medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA), and whether varus malalignment influences this relationship. Methods. Maximum isometric quadriceps strength at 60° flexion relative to body mass and the peak knee adduction moment during walking were assessed in 184 community volunteers with medial knee OA. Mechanical knee alignment was determined either directly from full-leg radiograph or extrapolated from anatomic alignment on knee radiograph using regression equations. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between quadriceps strength and peak kn..