Muscle strengthening interventions are a foundation of physiotherapy recommendations to improve knee symptoms and functional disability.

A recent systematic review by Patterson et al. in 2022 investigated muscle strength and osteoarthritis of the knee. Common findings are listed below:

• Low knee extensor strength was associated with an increased risk of worsening tibiofemoral (Knee Joint) and patellofemoral (Knee cap) OA.
• Low knee flexor strength was associated with an increased risk of tibiofemoral (Knee Joint) OA worsening.
• Sub-group (by sex/gender) pooled estimates reveal significant associations for women but not men.
• In those who already have OA, low knee extensor strength was not associated with an increased risk of tibiofemoral (Knee Joint) joint OA.

As physiotherapists working with patients with knee OA, we can take some guidance from the knowledge that lower limb strength is a key aspect of the management for the patient. Other essential factors to consider on top of strength would be other modifiable factors such as nutrition, weight management and occupational/ recreational activities.

This is one area where we can have the biggest impact on our patients (especially females) who come in with knee pain in early life. If we cement the importance of developing lower limb strength early, we can minimize the impact of OA as they age.

TPC Team