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. 2024 Feb 16;19(2):e0298625.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298625. eCollection 2024.

Balancing act: Unraveling the link between muscle strength, proprioception, and stability in unilateral hip osteoarthritis

Batool Abdulelah Alkhamis  1 , Ravi Shankar Reddy  1 , Khalid A Alahmari  1 , Mastour Saeed Alshahrani  1 , Ghada Mohammed Koura  1 , Olfat Ibrahim Ali  2 , Debjani Mukherjee  1 , Basant Hamdy Elrefaey  1
Affiliations

Balancing act: Unraveling the link between muscle strength, proprioception, and stability in unilateral hip osteoarthritis

Batool Abdulelah Alkhamis et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to compare hip muscle strength, hip joint proprioception, and functional balance between individuals with unilateral hip OA and asymptomatic individuals and to examine the relationships among these variables in the hip OA population. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 122 participants (unilateral Hip OA: n = 56, asymptomatic: n = 56) were assessed at the CAMS/KKU musculoskeletal Physical Therapy laboratory. Ethical standards were upheld throughout the research, with informed consent obtained. Hip muscle strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer, hip joint proprioception with a digital inclinometer, and functional balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Hip OA individuals exhibited significantly lower muscle strength and proprioceptive accuracy, and poorer functional balance than controls (p < 0.003). Correlation analyses revealed a positive correlation between muscle strength and BBS scores (r = 0.38 to 0.42) and a negative correlation with TUG test times (r = -0.36 to -0.41). Hip joint reposition sense (JRS) in flexion showed a negative correlation with balance (r = -0.46), while JRS in abduction was positively correlated (r = 0.46). The study highlights the clinical importance of muscle strength and proprioception in functional balance among individuals with unilateral hip OA. The results support the incorporation of muscle strengthening and proprioceptive training in interventions to improve balance and mobility in this population.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Hip flexor isometric strength assessment using a digital hand-held dynamometer.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Hip abductor isometric strength assessment using a digital hand-held dynamometer.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Hip extensor isometric strength assessment using a digital hand-held dynamometer.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Assessment of hip joint repositioning sense using a dual digital inclinometer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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