Posted on 12/05/2023 10:00:37 AM PST by ConservativeMind
Stronger quadriceps muscles, relative to the hamstrings, may lower the risk of total knee replacement, according to research. Researchers said the findings could inform strength-training programs for people with advanced arthritis in the knee.
"The two muscle groups act as counter forces, and the balance between them enables a wide range of activities while protecting the knee joint," said Upasana Upadhyay Bharadwaj, M.D. "An imbalance, in addition to other factors, leads to a change in the biomechanics resulting in the progression of osteoarthritis."
Dr. Upadhyay Bharadwaj and colleagues evaluated thigh muscle volume in 134 participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. They compared 67 patients who underwent total knee replacement of a single knee with 67 control participants who had not undergone knee replacement. The cases and controls were matched for variables.
The researchers obtained 3T MRI of the thigh at the time of surgery. They also evaluated MRI findings from two years and four years before the surgery. They used a previously trained deep-learning model to segment and compute volumes of the muscles of the thigh.
Comparing patients who had total knee replacement with the control group, a higher ratio of quadriceps to hamstring volume was significantly associated with lower odds of total knee replacement. Higher volumes of hamstrings and gracilis, a long, thin muscle on the inside of the thigh, were also linked with lower odds of total knee replacement.
"Our study shows that in addition to strong muscles individually, larger extensor muscle groups—relative to hamstring muscle groups—are significantly associated with lower odds of total knee replacement surgery in two to four years," Dr. Upadhyay Bharadwaj said.
The study findings have implications for both the interpretation of imaging exams and clinical management. The results suggest that training programs that strengthen the quadriceps in relation to the hamstrings may be beneficial.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I stumbled upon this almost by accident. I was wanting to get in shape again (i’m in my early 60’s) and have had a problem with my left knee being sore for quite a while. Among other things I’ve been doing leg lifts, side kicks and toe touching and my quads are getting pretty firm. At the same time I’ve noticed my knee pain is almost non-existent.
I’m 84. I make it a point to climb at least 10 flights of stairs everyday.
* * * *
Congrats, Oldhunk. I’m 71 and live on the 6th floor of an apartment building with elevator. But I take the open-air stairway up and down twice a day — once in the morning and once at night when I carry down a plastic bag of garbage.
On my climbs I lightly grasp the vertical rails for stability as I stretch climb two steps at a time. It’s a terrific routine. Reward myself at the top by gazing out at the city as the sun rises.
Tradeoffs........
Beyonce is all set.
Not when arthritis eats away the knee joint...
That is what got my wife 17 years ago...
How many remember this ad? Even a long since defunct comedy channel was telling us this, We’ve got to strengthen our knees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toZ6yxHUOJ4
Your last name wouldn’t be Wall, would it?
And...
Also, alternate which leg you lead with when you climb the stairs.
I never considered this before, what a good idea. Thanks!
Unless your knees are worn out and bone on bone...
I had double knee replace at once in 2019 as I wore out both knees, I was jogging in two months afterwards...That was my problem was due to over use and over worked. Now I have a pair of knees good for the rest of my life.
At age 57 I had bad knees and pain in hips joints. Also had chest pain after eating meat or cheese cake. And was border line diabetic, 140/90 BP, missing heart beats, pamic attacks in closed malls. I quit my full time job and became full time golfer at Orchards hills golf club in WA. Within a year I was playing 5 rounds of 18 on that hilly course pushing my
Golf cart. And every one of health issues just disappeared.
In case anyone wants to know, 5 rounds of 18 is 30 miles of walkin.
I heard of a 75 year woman who had arthritis, took up jogging, and her arthritis got enough better, she was doing marathons.
I had sprained my knee pretty bad in 2017 and the doctor sent me for knee x-ray. She told I had bone on bone in right knee. I hate surgeries, so began walking on treadmill. Now at age 83 my knee is pain free most of the time, unless I over use it, then i wear a knee brace until pain is gone.
squats baby!
...never skip leg day
...or core workouts. We all exercise our backs because we bend over, but without strong abs and obliques to counterbalance, our backs carry the weight of our torso, leading to back pain. Got back pain?
...crunches baby!
Well I wore my knees out hauling freight, lifting way more than I should, jumping in and out of trucks\pushing trailer dollies..Just wore them out. I looked at that craziness of stem cell injections and that would not ever work but a big money getter for many who are afraid of surgery..
Hmm...
Just walk, walk & walk. Slow pace is fine. Shoes must have shock absorbing soles. Body has amazing healing powers with exercise.
Problem was 100ft was all I could stand to walk..Now walk a mile or more a day..
Keep it up. It is the best way to recover from bad knees. Let nature do it’s magic instead of a surgeon. You have very good chance to heal the knee, and in addition it is good for your heart, lungs and arteries.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.