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Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
Neuromuscular function during stair descent in meniscectomized patients and controls
Jonas Bloch Thorlund1, Ewa M Roos, Per Aagaard
1Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. jthorlund@health.sdu.dk
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|December 7, 2010
Summary
Meniscectomized patients show altered knee movement and muscle activity compared to their non-operated leg, suggesting early changes that may lead to knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Meniscectomy, a common surgical procedure, can increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
- Understanding biomechanical and neuromuscular adaptations after meniscectomy is crucial for predicting OA development.
- Early detection of functional changes may allow for timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare knee range of motion (ROM), movement speed, ground reaction forces (GRF), and neuromuscular activity during stair descent to level walking transition.
- To identify differences between meniscectomized (operated) leg, non-operated leg, and healthy controls.
- To investigate muscle coactivation patterns in patients at high risk for knee OA.
Main Methods:
- 22 meniscectomized patients and 26 healthy controls participated.
- Synchronous motion capture, force plates, and electromyography (EMG) were used.
- EMG recorded vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) activity.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in knee ROM or overall movement parameters were found between operated and non-operated legs or controls.
- Meniscectomized leg exhibited a shorter stance phase (Tstance) during the transition.
- Reduced medial thigh muscle activity was observed in the meniscectomized leg during weight acceptance and at peak GRF.
Conclusions:
- Despite no overall differences in key variables like ROM, subtle kinematic and neuromuscular alterations exist in the meniscectomized leg.
- Attenuated medial leg muscle activity in the operated leg suggests compensatory strategies.
- These findings support the hypothesis that meniscectomized individuals exhibit early functional changes that may precede knee OA development.
