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A Mouse Model of Ankle-Subtalar Complex Joint Instability
Published on: October 28, 2022
Changes in ankle mechanical stability in those with knee osteoarthritis
Tricia J Hubbard1, Charlie Hicks-Little, Mitchell Cordova
1Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. thubbar1@uncc.edu
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|January 28, 2010
Summary
Patients with knee osteoarthritis exhibit altered ankle mechanics, showing reduced displacement and rotation. These changes in ankle stability may compensate for knee structural issues.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease.
- Altered joint mechanics in one lower extremity joint can influence adjacent joints.
- The impact of knee OA on ankle joint mechanical stability requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify ankle joint mechanical stability in individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate knee OA.
- To compare ankle joint stability between individuals with knee OA and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Participants included 15 individuals with knee OA and 15 matched healthy controls.
- An instrumented arthrometer was used to measure ankle-subtalar joint motion (anterior/posterior displacement, inversion/eversion rotation).
Main Results:
- Individuals with knee OA demonstrated significantly less anterior and posterior ankle displacement compared to controls and their unaffected limb.
- Patients with knee OA exhibited significantly reduced ankle inversion/eversion rotation compared to their matched controls.
- Statistical analysis revealed significant group-by-side interactions for ankle displacement.
Conclusions:
- Altered ankle joint mechanics in knee OA patients may stem from compensatory adaptations to knee structural changes.
- Reduced ankle displacement and rotation suggest a potential stiffening or altered alignment of the ankle-subtalar joint.
- These compensatory ankle joint changes should be considered when addressing functional deficits in the lower extremities of individuals with knee OA.
