Differential strength decline in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: revision of a hypothesis.

A quadriceps-to-hamstring isometric peak torque ratio (Q/H ratio) of approximately 2.0 is considered necessary for appropriate knee biomechanics. Lower ratios may affect the function of persons with osteoarthritis (OA) and the progression of the disease. This study examined the isometric Q/H ratio in subjects with and without OA of the knee and explored the effect of age, pain, and joint enlargement on the ratio. Twenty-one pairs of subjects (OA, control) were matched on age (mean = 62.6 years; SD = 13.9), gender (F = 17, M = 4), and leg dominance (Dominant = 10, Nondominant = 11). Isometric quadriceps and hamstring peak torque, knee pain, and joint enlargement were measured. Paired t-tests demonstrated that the OA group had significantly lower quadriceps peak torque than the control group but did not have significantly lower hamstring peak torque or gravity-corrected isometric Q/H ratio. Age correlated with the ratio in subjects without OA (rho = -0.46; P = 0.03) but not in subjects with OA. Pain was not significantly correlated with the ratio in either group. Joint enlargement correlated with the ratio in the OA group (rho = -0.45; P = 0.03). The gravity-corrected isometric Q/H ratio appears to decrease with age in subjects without OA. In subjects with OA, the Q/H ratio appears not to change with disease, pain, or age. Joint enlargement may decrease the ratio and merits further study.