Factors in the progression of knee osteoarthriti in terms of compressive forces acting on the joint and stresses occurring in the bone

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11185
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Oita University
• Principal Investigator: Anan Masaya 大分大学, 福祉健康科学部, 准教授 (10517080)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田原 大輔 龍谷大学, 先端理工学部, 教授 (20447907)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 変形性膝関節症 / 外部膝関節内転モーメント / 三次元動作解析 / 筋骨格モデル / 圧縮主ひずみ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In Study 1, we investigated and compared how increasing the knee flexion angle at the loading response of gait affects the mechanical load on the knee joint in healthy older adults. The results suggest that walking with an increased knee flexion angle at the loading response phase may reduce knee contact forces in this population.
In Study 2, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of osteoarthritis by estimating individual muscle activity, knee joint reaction forces, and knee joint angles. Additionally, we established a bone stress analysis method reflecting these estimates. The results indicate that this method might be useful for estimating individual muscle strength in cases of osteoarthritis.

Free Research Field

運動器理学療法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

変形性膝関節症の発症予防において，本研究で示した歩行立脚初期に膝関節角度を増大した口頭指示は，膝関節にかかる負担を軽減できる可能性が示唆され，臨床においても簡易的に行うことが可能である．よって，高齢者に立脚初期の膝関節屈曲角度を十分に確保することは膝OAの発症予防として有効な指導方法である可能性が示唆された．また，変形性膝関節症患者の膝周囲における特異的負荷を評価する筋骨格力学解析手法を確立でき，本手法が変形性膝関節症の個体別筋力推定に有用である可能性が示された．