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Materials and methods

A total of 126 participants aged 30 to 45 were divided into knee osteoarthritis and control groups. The Biodex System 4 isokinetic dynamometer assessed rate of force development of ankle muscles at various speeds, encompassing dynamic contractions at 60/s and 120/s, as well as isometric measurements. The dorsi/plantar ratio was calculated at the same speeds. Subjective evaluation employed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, while functional measures included the Forward Step-Down Test and Single-Leg Hop Test to establish the correlations with rate of force development and the dorsi/plantar ratio.

Results

The knee osteoarthritis group exhibited significantly higher rate of force development for both ankle plantar flexors during dynamic contractions at 60/s and 120/s, which was observed bilaterally in the knee osteoarthritis group (p< 0.001). The rate of force development of dorsiflexors is significant greater at 60/s (p< 0.001) and 120/s at 100ms (p< 0.05). Additionally, insignificant rate of force development in plantar flexors and dorsiflexors during isometric contractions was found compared to controls (p> 0.05). At angular velocities of 60/s and 120/s, the healthy group exhibited significantly elevated dorsi/plantar ratio in comparison to the knee osteoarthritis group for both right and left ankles (P< 0.05). There is a significant moderate positive correlation between dynamic rate of force development and Single-Leg Hop Test observed on both the right and left sides (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Knee osteoarthritis is associated with neuromuscular alterations manifesting as ankle muscle weakness and elevated …