The immediate effect of patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during squatting in patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demirbüken, İlkşan; Özyürek, Seher; Angın, Salih
• Is Part Of: Prosthetics and orthotics international. Volume 40:Number 6(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 682
• Page End: 688
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Knee osteoarthritis -- weight-bearing asymmetry -- squatting -- patellar tendon strap; Orthopedic apparatus -- Periodicals; Prosthesis -- Periodicals; Implants, Artificial -- Periodicals; 617.905
• DOI: 10.1177/0309364615612251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-3646

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis has commonly been associated with a symptom of pain resulting in an inter-limb weight-bearing asymmetry during functional tasks. Patellar tendon strap is one of the non-pharmacologic interventions to alleviate knee pain. Objectives: To investigate the immediate effect of a patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during squatting in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis and 10 healthy subjects were included in the study. Weight-bearing asymmetry of patients was assessed using a weight-bearing squat test during squatting at 30° and 60° both with and without patellar tendon strap. Pain intensity was assessed during squatting in unstrapped and strapped conditions with Visual Analog Scale. Results: The decrease in weight-bearing asymmetry values immediately after wearing patellar tendon strap during 30° ( p = 0.006) and 60° ( p = 0.011) of squatting tests was significantly higher in knee osteoarthritis patients than in healthy subjects. Reported pain intensity was similar in unstrapped and strapped conditions ( p = 0.066). Conclusion: The results of this study showed improved inter-limb weight-bearing symmetry during squatting. Further research with larger sample sizes investigating the effect of patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during functional activities in people with knee osteoarthritis is warranted. Clinical relevance: Patellar tendon straps (easily fit and cheap unlike knee braces) had more improvements in inter-limb weight-bearing symmetry during squatting in people with knee osteoarthritis compared to healthy subjects. This study is a new insight for future studies to investigate clinical benefits of wearing patellar tendon straps in this population.