Osteoarthritis year in review 2019: mechanics

Mechanics play a critical - but not sole - role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, and recent research has highlighted how mechanical constructs are relevant at the cellular, joint, and whole-body level related to osteoarthritis outcomes. This review examined papers from April 2018 to April 2019 that reported on the role of mechanics in osteoarthritis etiology, with a particular emphasis on studies that focused on the interaction between movement and tissue biomechanics with other clinical outcomes relevant to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Studies were grouped by themes that were particularly prevalent from the past year. Results of the search highlighted the large exposure of knee-related research relative to other body areas, as well as studies utilizing laboratory-based motion capture technology. New research from this past year highlighted the important role that rate of exerted loads and rate of muscle force development - rather than simply force capacity (strength) - have in OA etiology and treatment. Further, the role of muscle activation patterns in functional and structural aspects of joint health has received much interest, though findings remain equivocal. Finally, new research has identified potential mechanical outcome measures that may be related to osteoarthritis disease progression. Future research should continue to combine knowledge of mechanics with other relevant research techniques, and to identify mechanical markers of joint health and structural and functional disease progression that are needed to best inform disease prevention, monitoring, and treatment.