The associations of knee extensor muscle steadiness with maximal voluntary torque and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Muscle weakness is characteristic of knee osteoarthritis. Muscle steadiness may be an important adjunct to knee muscle strength in improving physical function in knee osteoarthritis. However, the role of muscle steadiness is uncertain.

A most painful knee does not induce interlimb differences in knee and hip moments during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Patients with knee osteoarthritis can adapt their gait to unload the most painful knee joint in order to try to reduce pain and improve physical function. However, these gait adaptations can cause higher loads on the contralateral joints. The aim of the study was to investigate the interlimb differences in knee and hip frontal plane moments during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis and in healthy controls.

Responses in knee joint muscle activation patterns to different perturbations during gait in healthy subjects.

Purpose: To compare the responses in knee joint muscle activation patterns to different perturbations during gait in healthy subjects.

Scope: Nine healthy participants were subjected to perturbed walking on a split-belt treadmill. Four perturbation types were applied, each at five intensities.

Neuromechanical assessment of knee joint instability during perturbed gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Knee joint instability is frequently reported by patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Objective metrics to assess knee joint instability are lacking, making it difficult to target therapies aiming to improve stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare responses in neuromechanics to perturbations during gait in patients with self-reported knee joint instability (KOA-I) versus patients reporting stable knees (KOA-S) and healthy control subjects.

Objective parameters to measure (in)stability of the knee joint during gait: A review of literature.

Background: Instability of the knee joint during gait is frequently reported by patients with knee osteoarthritis or an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The assessment of instability in clinical practice and clinical research studies mainly relies on self-reporting. Alternatively, parameters measured with gait analysis have been explored as suitable objective indicators of dynamic knee (in)stability.

Use of a Shoulder Rest for Playing the Violin Revisited: An Analysis of the Effect of Shoulder Rest Height on Muscle Activity, Violin Fixation Force, and Player Comfort.

Aims: For violinists, the shoulder rest is an ergonomic adaptation to reduce musculoskeletal load. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how the height of the shoulder rest affects the violin fixation force and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial neck and shoulder muscles.

Methods: In professional violinists, four different shoulder rest heights during five playing conditions were evaluated.

Differences in violin fixation force and muscle activity among violinists with and without complaints of the neck shoulder region.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between complaints of the neck and shoulder region, the jaw-shoulder violin fixation force, and the activity of the neck and shoulder muscles in violinists.

Methods: In this case-control study twenty professional violinists were included, of which ten with current complaints of the neck shoulder region and ten without these complaints. A questionnaire including the DASH and NDI was used; violin fixation force and activity of the superficial neck muscles were evaluated in five playing conditions.

The immediate effect of a soft knee brace on dynamic knee instability in persons with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Wearing a soft knee brace has been shown to reduce self-reported knee instability in persons with knee OA. There is a need to assess whether a soft knee brace has a beneficial effect on objectively assessed dynamic knee instability as well. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of a soft knee brace on objectively assessed dynamic knee instability and to assess the difference in effect between a non-tight and a tight soft knee brace in persons with knee OA.