title: Mechanisms underpinning the peak knee flexion moment increase over 2-years following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knee osteoarthritis is common in people who have undergone partial meniscectomy, and a higher external knee flexion moment during gait may be a potential contributor. Although the peak external knee flexion moment has been shown to increase from 3 months to 2 years following partial meniscectomy, mechanisms underpinning the increase in the peak knee flexion moment are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six participants with partial meniscectomy completed three-dimensional gait (normal and fast pace) and quadriceps strength assessment at baseline (3 months following partial meniscectomy) and again 2 years later. Variables included external knee flexion moment, vertical ground reaction force, knee flexion kinematics, and quadriceps peak torque.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For normal pace walking, the main significant predictors of change in peak knee flexion moment were an increase in peak vertical ground reaction force (R(2)=0.55), mostly due to an increase in walking speed, and increase in peak knee flexion angle (R(2)=0.19). For fast pace walking, the main significant predictors of change in peak knee flexion moment were an in increase in peak vertical ground reaction force (R(2)=0.51) and increase in knee flexion angle at initial contact (R(2)=0.17). Change in peak vertical force was mostly due to an increase in walking speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that increases in vertical ground reaction force and peak knee flexion angle during stance are predominant contributors to the 2-year change in peak knee flexion moment. Future studies are necessary to refine our understanding of joint loading and its determinants following meniscectomy.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Wrigley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Rana S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hinman
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Flavia M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cicuttini
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD, Australia; School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Alasdair R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dempsey
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: k.bennell@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kim L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Bennell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology