More people are developing OA of the knee-what are some contributing factors?
Some of the risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knees are being overweight, suffering a trauma or injury to the knee, age, and some sports such as those requiring repetitive high impact.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.co[email protected]
Quadriceps weakness is a hallmark impairment.
Muscle activation impairments.
Low lean muscle mass.
I am of the opinion that it is pivotal to understand the
1. Pathophysiology of the disease.
2. The anatomy of the knee joint (osteokinematics, arthrokinematics)
Age related adaptations that contribute to OA:
1. Decrease in muscle strength
2. Decrease in muscle endurance,
3. Decrease in muscle mass,
4. Decrease in muscle fiber size,
5. Decrease in muscle metabolic capacity,
5. Decrease in type II muscle fibers
yes that is partly true Joanne, however-
Quadricep weakness is not the impairment, Hamsrtings are the impairment.
Per the research as well as studies performed by Vladamir Janda and NSCA, the quadriceps are STRONGER not weaker. The hamstrings are phasic weaker muscles in numerous studies not only on OA of the knee, but on contributing factors for ACL injuries, meniscal, etc,
The main causes based on SCIENCE and EVIDENCED Based Research are:
1-Obesity or increase in amount of adipose tissue loading the weighttbearing joints
2-Inactivity or lack thereof by most americans
3-Imbalanced diet which compliments #1 where there has been a surgence of Americans eating processed foods, fried foods, enormous amounts of sugar, soda, etc
4-Lack of flexibility of quadriceps and hip flexors. Increased tissue density creates increased compression, load to the tibiofemoral and patello femoral joint
Chris
Remember look at the research!