Muscular kinetics and fatigue evaluation of knee using by isokinetic dynamometer in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that is observed with arthritis, sacroiliitis and disability. The aim of the study was to compare the strength and fatigue of knee extensor/flexor muscle group usage by isokinetic in patients with AS with controls.

METHODS

Twenty-six AS diagnosed patients and twenty-six healthy volunteers with similar age, height, body weight and gender were included in this study. In both groups the isokinetic tests are conducted by isokinetic dynamometer for every subject. Knee extension/flexion patterns;peak torque, agonist/antagonist ratio and work fatigue isokinetic parameters were evaluated during the knee 60º/s, 180º/s and 240º/s angular velocities.

RESULTS

Knee extension/flexion muscle strength in patient group was significantly lower compared to the control group in all angular velocities (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed knee muscle weakness and fatigue in patients with AS compared to the control group.