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Cyanna Joseph Dsouza1 
, Sydney Roshan Rebello2 , Miqdad Ashraf *2 , Amith Sridhar Alankar3 , Charissa Patson Lewis2 , Glevisha Ann Mendonca2
, Sydney Roshan Rebello2 , Miqdad Ashraf *2 , Amith Sridhar Alankar3 , Charissa Patson Lewis2 , Glevisha Ann Mendonca2
1- Father Muller College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India. & Srinivas Institute of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India.
2- Father Muller College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India.
3- Department of Orthopaedics, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India.
2- Father Muller College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India.
3- Department of Orthopaedics, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India.
Abstract: (19 Views)
Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts mobility in older adults. Abnormal foot mechanics, including hallux dysfunction, may alter knee joint kinematics and exacerbate symptoms. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess toe grip strength (TGS) and examine its relationship with dynamic balance and mobility in patients with knee OA.
Methods: A total of 147 participants aged 45–75 years with Grade 2 knee OA of at least three months’ duration were included. TGS was measured using a pinch gauge dynamometer, and balance and mobility were evaluated using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test respectively. Pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA Index for knee function were also recorded. Spearman’s rank correlation, linear regression, and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results: TGS showed a strong correlation with both FRT (r = 0.942) and TUG (r = -0.832), which were statistically significant (P < 0.001). These relationships remained significant after adjusting for age, BMI, and OA duration. Regression analysis showed that FRT alone explained 91.3% of the variance in TGS, while TUG explained 74%. In a combined model (R² = 0.922), FRT emerged as the stronger predictor. No significant correlations were found between TGS and either VAS or WOMAC scores.
Conclusion: This cross-sectional study reports that TGS is strongly and independently associated with balance and mobility in patients with knee OA, highlighting its potential to serve not only as a simple, clinically useful screening tool but also a potential target for interventions aimed at improving lower limb functional performance. However, it does not appear to reflect pain severity or self-reported knee function.
Methods: A total of 147 participants aged 45–75 years with Grade 2 knee OA of at least three months’ duration were included. TGS was measured using a pinch gauge dynamometer, and balance and mobility were evaluated using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test respectively. Pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA Index for knee function were also recorded. Spearman’s rank correlation, linear regression, and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results: TGS showed a strong correlation with both FRT (r = 0.942) and TUG (r = -0.832), which were statistically significant (P < 0.001). These relationships remained significant after adjusting for age, BMI, and OA duration. Regression analysis showed that FRT alone explained 91.3% of the variance in TGS, while TUG explained 74%. In a combined model (R² = 0.922), FRT emerged as the stronger predictor. No significant correlations were found between TGS and either VAS or WOMAC scores.
Conclusion: This cross-sectional study reports that TGS is strongly and independently associated with balance and mobility in patients with knee OA, highlighting its potential to serve not only as a simple, clinically useful screening tool but also a potential target for interventions aimed at improving lower limb functional performance. However, it does not appear to reflect pain severity or self-reported knee function.
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