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Observational Study
. 2024 Aug 26:19:1479-1491.
doi: 10.2147/CIA.S442610. eCollection 2024.

The Differences in Parameters in Ultrasound Imaging and Biomechanical Properties of the Quadriceps Femoris with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis in the Elderly: A Preliminary Observational Study

Junyi Li #  1   2 , Zugui Wu #  3 , Bin Lu #  2 , Congcong Li  1 , Shuai Wang  1 , Jiahao Zhang  1 , Xingxing Shen  1 , Ruian Xiang  1 , Jiahao Chen  1 , Tao Jiang  1 , Chuanxi Zhao  1 , Wengang Liu  1 , Xuemeng Xu  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

The Differences in Parameters in Ultrasound Imaging and Biomechanical Properties of the Quadriceps Femoris with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis in the Elderly: A Preliminary Observational Study

Junyi Li et al. Clin Interv Aging. .

Abstract

Purpose: Our study aims to evaluate differences in muscle parameters of the quadriceps muscles in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in older adults.

Methods: The study included 40 patients diagnosed with unilateral knee osteoarthritis in the KOA group (KG) and 40 asymptomatic elderly individuals in the control group (CG). Muscle ultrasonic mean echo intensity and shear modulus, as well as tone and stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), and vastus lateralis (VL) were analyzed. Additionally, clinical correlations were performed.

Results: In the KG group, there were significant differences in echo intensity, shear modulus, and tone between the affected and unaffected sides for RF (p=0.003, 0.019, 0.014), while VM showed significant differences in shear modulus and tone (p=0.006, 0.002). Additionally, VL exhibited significant differences in echo intensity, shear modulus, and stiffness (p=0.007, 0.006, 0.010). Compared to the CG group, the KG group showed significant differences in echo intensity of the affected side RF (p=0.001). VM exhibited statistically significant differences in echo intensity and shear modulus (p < 0.001, p=0.008), while VL showed statistically significant differences in echo intensity, tone, and stiffness (p < 0.001, p=0.028, p < 0.001). The correlation results showed that patients with unilateral KOA, VM, and VL echo intensity were correlated with K-L grade (r = 0.443, p=0.004; r = 0.469, p=0.002). The tone of VL was correlated with VAS and WOMAC (r = 0.327, p=0.039; r = 0.344, p=0.030).

Conclusion: The parameters of the quadriceps femoris muscle exhibit asymmetry between the affected and unaffected sides in patients with unilateral KOA, as well as a difference between the dominant side of healthy older individuals and the affected side of KOA.

Keywords: knee osteoarthritis; muscle tone; quadriceps femoris; stiffness; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The method for measuring ultrasound-related parameters of the rectus femoris muscle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Differences in Muscle ultrasonic echo intensity and Shear modulus of the RF, VM, and VL between patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy subjects.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Differences in tone and stiffness of the RF, VM, and VL between patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy subjects.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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