Managing the runner with knee OAsemrc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/.../Managing-the-runner-with-Knee-OA_sh… · Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne,

@DrChrisBarton semrc.blogs.Latrobe.edu.au

Managing the runner with knee OA

Dr Christian Barton PhD, Bphysio (Hon), MAPA, MCSP

Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AustraliaClinical Director and Physiotherapist, Complete Sports Care, Melbourne, AustraliaAssociate Editor British Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy in Sport


A little about me

@DrChrisBarton

1. Loves running, and has run all her life

2. Left knee pain on and off past 2 years following a fall

3. Running is Ok, until > 5km

4. Lots of pain recently trying to train for ½ marathon

5. Intense pain for 3-4 days after 15km run recently

6. Recently tried changing strike pattern to forefoot strike – no help

@DrChrisBarton

1. Extruded medial meniscus, with horizontal tear periphery of the posterior horn and tiny vertical tear free edge posterior horn.

2. Focal tiny chondral cleft articular cartilage MFC.

3. Mild to moderate chondromalacia patellae.

4. Moderate joint effusion and synovitis.

5. Complex Baker's cyst, with likely rupture inferiorly.


“Physical activity and exercise therapy not only improve

symptoms and impairments of OA, but are also effective

in preventing at least 35 chronic conditions and treating at

least 26 chronic conditions, with one of the potential

working mechanisms being exercise-induced anti-

inflammatory effects.”


RISKS BENEFITS


RISKSBENEFITS

RUNNING?

1. Pain?2. OA progression?


OA present

6 studies reported no effect on cartilage

thickness, volume or defects

1 study reported a negative effect + 1 no

effect on GAG

2 studies reported a positive effect + 2 no effect on collagen.”

Risk of OA

1 study reported no effect on cartilage defects

1 study reported positive effects on

glycosaminoglycans (GAG)


25 studies

Competitive or recreational?“Specifically reported that the runners were professional, elite, or ex-elite athletes, or in any case in which runners represented their countries in international competitions.”


The right amount of load is good!

Andriacchi, T.P., et al., A framework for the in vivo pathomechanics of osteoarthritis at the knee. Ann Biomed Eng, 2004. 32(3): p. 447-57.




RUNNING? Prevent at least 35 chronic conditions (Booth 2012)

1. Pain?2. ??OA progression??


Principle of ‘RISK’ management

R educe overall load

I mprove capacity to attenuate load

S hift the load

K eep adapting to the capacity and goals of the runner


Load management


Load management

2. Gradually adapt capacity to handle load

1. Reduce the load


Loading may be biggest issue

Load management is vitally important

Why does it still hurt!?!

@DrChrisBarton

Pain

Maladaptive Behaviours

- Physical changes

- Non-physical changes

- Increased stress

- Decreased capacity


Key considerations in knee

Proximal

- Pelvic drop

- Hip control

- Knee extension/flexion

Distal

- Foot strike pattern

- Over-striding


1. Lower step rate

2. Landing further from centre of mass (i.e. over-stride)

3. Greater centre of mass vertical excursion

4. Greater ankle dorsiflexion at foot strike


Increase step rate


Addressing over-stride with step rate


Who• Mixed-sex cohort of runners with PFP • > 3 months and aged 18-45• Running a minimum of 10KM/week

What• 6 weeks increasing by 7.5% (metronome)• Faded feedback design• 1 structured session per week • Pain and lower limb kinematics measured











Three categories:

- Kinematics (motion we can see and assess)

- Kinetics (forces which drive the motion) - INJURY

- Neuromuscular/EMG function (control of kinematics and kinetics)

Is the issue kinematics or neuromotor?

Biomechanics are not simple


Life is a ‘bell curve’


Running retraining?

1. Identifying any theoretical (abnormal) running mechanics which may be contributing to tissue overload

2. Establish if running mechanics can be altered

3. Facilitate the desired running mechanics changes and encouraging motor learning to ensure maintenance of any change

CHANGE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE


Is Running Retraining evidence based?

“Our synthesis of published evidence related to clinical outcomes and biomechanical effects with expert opinion

indicates running retraining warrants consideration in the treatment of lower limb injuries in clinical practice”


Methodolgy


Evidence Biomechanics

Intervention

8 sessions (2 weeks)

Visual and verbal feedback to

reduce hip adduction

Outcome

Reduce pain and improve

function

Patellofemoral Pain – Limited Evidence (Noehren2011; Willy 2012)


In clinical practice?




“There were no significant adverse events that occurred in either group.”

“Subjects in the experimental group reported calf soreness during the retraining phase. However, this subsided by session six for all of the subjects in the group.”

“Two subjects in the experimental group (25%) reported ankle soreness associated with the new running gait at the one-month follow-up. Subjects described it as an ache that quickly subsided after they discontinued running.”


Transition from rearfootto forefoot strike


Highly researched ≠ gold standard


“1.2–1.6⁰ of internal femur rotation for every 5⁰ of anterior pelvis tilt”


Manage ‘RISK’ in running


Principle of ‘RISK’ management General strategies

R educe overall load- Reduce running- Address over-stride- Increase step rate


@DrChrisBartonModified from Thomeé (1997)




I mprove capacity to attenuate load- Graduated loading- Strength and Conditioning- Muscle activation cues



Graduated loading




I mprove capacity to attenuate load- Graduated loading- Strength and Conditioning- Muscle activation cues

S hift the load

(Most retraining strategies)

- Reduce anterior pelvic tilt (gluteals and core)- Increase knee flexion (quads)- Transition to midfoot/forefoot strike (calf)

Does the individual possess capacity?

K eep adapting to the capacity and goals of the runner



Take Home

1. Running is good for you

2. Manage ‘RISK’ in the injured runner

3. Load management + getting/staying strong is key

4. Change sagittal plane running mechanics first

5. Consider barriers that prevent desired changes


Questions?

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Managing the runner with knee OAsemrc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/.../Managing-the-runner-with-Knee-OA_sh… · Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne,