11/16/06

A strong quadricep does not damage knees, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington. The study showed that developing the leg muscle can actually help prevent the deterioration of cartilage behind the kneecap in people with knee osteoarthritis.

It has long been believed that exercises for the quadriceps muscle is beneficial for those with knee osteoarthritis but there has been some concern that strong quadriceps may be harmful to the tibiofemoral joint, especially if the knee is malaligned.

Researchers studied 265 men and women, with an average age of 67, all suffering from symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. At the start of the study, all subjects had their quadriceps strength measured had an MRI taken of the knee. MRIs were repeated at 15 and 30 months.

The results revealed that even in those with malaligned knees, greater quadriceps strength had no negative affects at the tibiofemoral joint. The increased strength did maintain better patella stability and protected against cartilage loss at the lateral part of the patellofemoral joint.