title: Muscle force steadiness in older adults before and after total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: The ability to control submaximal muscle forces has been shown to be associated with age-related decreases in physical function, such as increased tendency to fall. This study compared quadriceps muscle force steadiness (MFS) in individuals with knee OA before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to an age-matched group of controls. Lower extremity MFS was measured in 13 subjects with knee OA before and at six months after TKA (TKA-GROUP) and compared to an age-matched control group (CONTROL-GROUP). MFS was significantly more impaired in the TKA-GROUP at the pre-operative, but not post-operative visit, and significantly improved between the pre-operative and post-operative visits. Further research is warranted to evaluate the relation between this MFS measurement and physical functional performance in those at high risk for falling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Jessica W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and University Orthopedics Center, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and University Orthopedics Center, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah; Department of Orthopedics and University Orthopedics Center, University of Utah; Department of Exercise Science, University of Utah.
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: LaStayo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: aging; elderly; motor control; quadriceps function