The effect of extensor muscle strength on meniscus damage progression in subjects without radiologic knee osteoarthritis - Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

• Published in: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
• Main Authors: Li, Mingyang, Nie, Yong, Li, Kang, Zeng, Yi, Wu, Yuangang, Liu, Yuan, Wu, Limin, Shen, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2022
• ISSN: 1537-7385
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001922

It has been demonstrated that high extensor strength decreases knee osteoarthritis (KOA) symptomatic progression. However, few studies have detected a significant association between extensor strength and structural progression. Participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative with both muscle strength and meniscus assessment, KL grade <= 1, and BMI < 30 were enrolled. In a separate-sex analysis, participants were divided into the high strength and low strength groups, referring to the median value. Meniscus progression according to the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score was compared between the two groups at 12 months (393 females and 229 males) and 24 months (340 females and 208 males). In females, less overall medial meniscus progression (11.1% [17/153] vs. 23.2% [32/138], P = 0.04), less medial meniscal medial extrusion (5.2% [8/155] vs. 12.5% [18/144], P = 0.04), and less medial meniscal anterior extrusion progression (0% [0/108] vs. 5.3% [6/113], P = 0.03) were present in the high strength group at 24 months. In males, no significant difference was detected between the high strength group and the low strength group. In females, higher extensor muscle strength was associated with a decreased risk of medial meniscus progression in medial and anterior extrusion.