Relação do limiar de dor por pressão com a função física e força muscular em indivíduos com osteoartrite de joelho

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease, which generates pain and restriction of joint mobility, resulting in muscle weakness and loss of quality of life due to functional impairment. These characteristics are striking in KOA, however, no studies were found that correlate pain, muscular strength and physical function of these individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of pain, muscle strength and physical function in individuals with mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis. Strength was evaluated through a load cell in the extensor muscles of the knee (quadriceps femoris - QF), abductors of the hip (max gluteus, gluteus maximus and gluteus maximus, fascia lata tensor - AB) and tibialis anterior (TA), bilaterally (right - R and left - L). Pain was assessed by pain preassure threshold (PPT) by means of a pain meter in pre-determined dermatomes, myotomes and sclerotomes and through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). To assess physical function, the Westerm Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire, specific to KOA, was applied. After statistical analysis, a weak and negative correlation was found between muscle strength of the QF with domain WOMAC function and total. In the correlation of pain with muscular strength, weak and moderate muscle strength correlations of QF and AB were found with points of PPTs. There was no correlation between the PPT, the domain WOMAC pain and VAS. In KOA patients, the greater the muscle strength, the better their physical function will be, and the greater the pain threshold at specific points related to the knee.