An Intervention of Electrical Stimulation in Osteoarthritis

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) often have decreased thigh muscle strength. This muscle weakness is thought to originate from centers in the brain and spinal cord that restrict recruitment of fibers responsible for muscle contraction. An inability to fully contract muscles surrounding the knee joint impairs patients' abilities to perform activities of daily living (i.e. walking, climbing stairs) and may even contribute to further joint degeneration. Establishing therapies aimed at increasing muscle strength, restoring normal function, and possibly slowing the processes involved in the development of knee OA is essential in order to enhance the quality of life in the adult population plagued with this degenerative joint condition. Electrical muscle stimulation applied to the thigh is a promising therapy that has been shown to successfully restore muscle strength, however how long the treatment lasts and its influence on functional outcomes remains unknown. In order for electrical muscle stimulation to be of value it must result in sustained improvements in muscle strength and functional outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of the proposed investigation is to determine if electrical muscle stimulation can restore thigh muscle strength and improve functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.