Association of postural control with muscle strength, proprioception, self-reported knee instability and activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of postural control with muscle strength, proprioception, self-reported knee instability and activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 284 patients with knee osteoarthritis from the Amsterdam Osteoarthritis cohort were included. Postural control was assessed using the One-Leg Stand Test (OLST), in which the patients were asked to stand on one leg for 30 s. Muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), proprioception (joint motion detection threshold) and self-reported knee instability (episodes of buckling, shifting or giving way) were also assessed. Activity limitations were assessed using the Get Up and Go (GUG) test, the walking up-down stairs test, and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index - Physical Function subscale. Regression analyses were used to assess the associations. RESULTS: Muscle weakness (p = 0.02) and proprioceptive inaccuracy (p