Joint loading and muscle strength of patients with knee osteoarthritis when walking downhill

For patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) downhill gait is often associated with pain. Therefore, the isometric muscle strength and gait biomechanics of 10 patients with moderate KOA was analysed during 4 different inclines and compared to a healthy control group (n=7). Patients with KOA showed significantly decreased peak knee joint moments during the steeper inclines of 12° and 18° and a reduced ability to generate eccentric and concentric muscle activation during knee flexion.