Is Quadriceps-Strengthening Exercises (QSE) in Medial-Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis with Neutral and Varus Malalignment a Paradox? – A Risk-Appraisal of Strength-Training on Disease Progression

Introduction: The present inquiry seeks to investigate whether the current regimens of QSEs (Quadriceps-Strengthening Exercises) aggravate the disease while mitigating symptoms. Materials and methods: A comparative study was conducted on 32 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of knees. While the neutral group of 16 patients was constituted of those with an anatomical-lateral-femoro-tibial-angle (aFTA) 176-180º, varus group comprised an equal number of patients with an aFTA >180º. A home-based 12-week strength-training program involving weekly visitsto hospital for supervised sessions was administered. The outcome measures were visual-analog-scale (VAS), medial patello-femoral joint tenderness (MPFJT), time-up-and-go-test (TUGT), stair-climb test, step test, WOMAC, IKDC scores, aFTA, hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, lateral-tibio-femoral-joint-separation (LTFJS), and horizontal-distance-from-centre-of-knee-to-Mikulicz-line. Results: There was a significant increase in quadriceps strength (p