Resistance Exercise and Knee Osteoarthritis Pain, Functional Impairment and Cartilage Turnover

Comparative Resistance Exercise Effect on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain, Functional Impairment and Cartilage Turnover

The purpose of this study is to determine if a 4 month resistance exercise program can reduce knee osteoarthritis pain functional impairment and cartilage turnover.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee for >6 months
• moderate to severe pain immediately following a 50-foot walk
• knee pain primarily due to tibiofemoral OA and not from patellofemoral OA
• bilateral standing anterior-posterior radiograph demonstrating grade 2 or 3 OA of the target knee
• willing and able to participate in regular exercise for four months
• free from musculoskeletal limitations that would preclude resistance exercise participation
• free of abnormal cardiovascular responses during the screening graded maximal walk test

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to walk
• regular resistance exercise training (>3X week) within the past 6 months
• specific low back pain or acute back injury
• spinal stenosis that precludes walking one block due to neurogenic claudication
• any major injury to either knee within the prior 12 months
• any surgery to either knee within the last 12 months
• lumbar radiculopathy
• vascular claudication
• significant anterior knee pain due to diagnosed isolated patella-femoral syndrome or chondromalacia in either knee
• have had corticosteroid or viscosupplement injections within three months of study participation
• have added new over the counter or prescription pain medication within two months of study participation