MCRC Project 1 - PI Sharma
CURRENT MCRC PROJECT
Potential Beneficial Role of Hip Muscles in Knee OA Progression
In the current MCRC project (MAK-3, Mechanical Factors in Arthritis of the Knee, Study 3), we are evaluating the role of hip muscle strength, particularly hip abductor and external rotator, in cartilage loss, physical function decline, and disability progression in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA). OA at the knee is a leading cause of chronic disability. Few strategies to prevent knee OA disease progression or OA-related disability exist, in large part due to limited knowledge of factors responsible for these outcomes. Recent findings from our studies and other studies support that the hip muscles may play an important role in knee joint protection and person-level functioning in individuals with osteoarthritic knees. A long-term goal of this project is to inform intervention development that capitalizes upon the hip muscles to benefit persons with knee OA. This study includes 2 evaluations (at baseline and 2 years later) of a cohort with knee OA, in which we are measuring hip muscle strength and other muscle parameters, as well as collecting covariate, radiographic, MRI, functional status, and disability data, using state-of-the-art approaches to assess outcomes. The results of this study will inform development of physical and rehabilitative therapy for knee OA that takes advantage of the hip musculature.
THE MAK – Mechanical Factors in Arthritis of the Knee – STUDY
MAK originated as a project in the NIH MAMDC (Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center) grant held by Rheumatology at Northwestern; the MAMDC was the sole source of MAK support in its first cycle. MAK has had 3 consecutive cycles of NIH funding, including: R01 support for studies that enriched and enhanced the parent MCRC-supported MAK study in the current and previous cycle; and R01 funding for ancillary studies to MOST (the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study) and to the OAI (Osteoarthritis Initiative) that build upon MAK findings. This additional funding has enabled us to add quantitative gait analysis to our ongoing study.
