Intervention by hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis can modify locomotor pattern of muscle activity

Intra-articular intervention by hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis can modify locomotor pattern of muscle activity

Article specifications

This clinical trial was published in 2015 in journal of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery (IF 2015:1.41) by Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscle activation pattern of lower extremities, that can be modified by intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (IAHA). 23 subjects with knee OA and 14 age-matched non-knee OA control subjects were recruited from an outpatient clinic. Three-dimensional gait analysis with using the MA-100 EMG system was applied to measure the muscles activities. The quadriceps (QUA), hamstrings (HAM), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles were selected for this study. For the knee OA group, bilateral IA knee joint injections with HA were performed.

Results

The results of the study showed that during the stance phase of gait cycle, the quadriceps, hamstring, and tibialis anterior muscles had longer muscle contraction duration in the knee OA patients as compared with the control group. IA HA is an available treatment option as it effectively decreases co-contraction and improves motor activity of the lower extremity muscles. The improved muscle activities lasted up to a period up to six months.