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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Acupotomy in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis
Published on: October 20, 2023
Knee varus-valgus motion during gait--a measure of joint stability in patients with osteoarthritis?
M van der Esch1, M Steultjens, J Harlaar
1Jan van Breemen Institute, Center for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.vd.Esch@janvanbreemen.nl
Objective:
To determine the validity of varus-valgus motion as a measure of knee joint stability by establishing the relationship of varus-valgus motion with muscle strength, joint proprioception, joint laxity and skeletal alignment in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods:
Sixty-three patients with OA of the knee were tested. Varus-valgus motion was determined with a video-based optoelectronic gait analysis system. Muscle strength was measured using a computer-driven isokinetic dynamometer. Proprioceptive acuity was assessed by establishing the joint motion detection threshold in the anterior-posterior direction. Laxity was assessed using a device which measures the passive angular deviation of the knee in the frontal plane. Alignment was assessed using a goniometer. Regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between varus-valgus motion, muscle strength, joint proprioception, joint laxity and skeletal alignment.
Result:
Varus-valgus motion was not related to muscle strength, joint proprioception, joint laxity and skeletal alignment.
Conclusions:
Knee joint stability cannot be measured as varus-valgus motion. Rather, a number of independent factors seem to contribute to the process of stabilization of the knee joint.
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