Clarification of the natural course and kinematic factors leading to symptoms in knee osteoarthritis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18527
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Koga Hiroshi 新潟大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 特任准教授 (20838601)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 変形性膝関節症 / 三次元運動解析 / 下肢筋力測定器 / X線評価 / 縦断的疫学調査 / 自然経過

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We observed the natural history of the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis from over 40 years of resident besed cohort study for knee osteoarthritis. We introduced 3D motion analysis technology using motion capture technology and a quadriceps strength measuring device that allows for simple and sufficiently accurate evaluation, and demonstrated that mechanical factors and muscle strength are related to the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis and the presence or absence of symptoms. We also found that all cases develop some kind of arthritic change as they age, but that it does not necessarily progress to the end stage and cause symptoms. This is a major finding for the prevention of knee osteoarthritis.

Free Research Field

整形外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、手術加療や再生医療などの進歩が著しい変形性膝関節症の治療において、自然経過を詳細に検討することで、膝関節症が必ずしも進行し症状を呈さないことを示した。また、発症や進行における基本的な運動と筋力の重要性を示した。高度な先進医療やMRIなどの検査機器は経済格差や保険制度のため世界的に一般化することは難しい。本研究の成果から簡便で精度の高い筋力測定器や伝統的なX線評価の精度を高めるためのシステムを開発することができた。これらは基本的な評価と診断に寄与するもので、全人類的な意義が高い。