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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
The Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation
Published on: July 22, 2019
Physical performance measurement in persons with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: A pilot study
Lisa T Hoglund1, Margery A Lockard2, Mary F Barbe3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Samson College of Health Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Background:
Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) is associated with pain and decreased self-reported function. The impact of PFOA on actual physical performance is currently unknown.
Objective:
To investigate the impact of PFOA on physical performance and pain.
Methods:
Eight participants aged 40-65 years with bilateral, symptomatic, radiographic PFOA and 7 age- and gender-matched pain-free control participants without radiographic PFOA were studied. Physical performance was measured with the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) and 50-foot Fast-Paced-Walk (FPW) tests. Dependent variables included time to complete the TUG and FPW; pretest-posttest change in pain intensity (TUG and FPW); and self-reports of perceived knee pain, stiffness, and physical function. Data were analyzed with nonparametric statistics.
Results:
The PFOA group TUG time was longer than the control group (p=0.01). No difference between groups was found for FPW time. Pretest-posttest pain increased for the TUG and FPW in PFOA participants (p< 0.05). The PFOA group reported greater knee pain, stiffness, and less physical function than controls (previous 48 hours) (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Symptomatic, radiographic PFOA is associated with increased pain during the TUG and FPW tests and longer time required to complete the TUG. The TUG may be a more sensitive test of physical performance in PFOA.
