Clinical characteristics and physical activity levels of patients with knee osteoarthritis with and without a previous knee injury: A cross-sectional study

Objective To compare clinical characteristics and physical activity levels of patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods A total of 262 individuals with mild-to-moderate knee OA recruited from the Technology, Exercise Programming, and Activity Prescription for Enhanced Mobility (TEAM) Study (NCT04544904) were categorized into two groups: 1) no previous knee injury (NTOA group), or 2) previous knee injury (PTOA group). We collected participants' demographics, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, Arthritis Self-Efficacy questionnaire, Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) questionnaire, previous sport participation, radiographic OA features, and medical history. A smartphone application measured daily steps and self-reported physical activity levels were measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. A 30-s chair-stand and 40-m walk test assessed physical function. Results The NTOA group was older (62.3 ± 9.0 vs. 58.2 ± 7.4 years, p < 0.05) and had lower daily steps (4372 ± 263 vs. 5776 ± 445 steps, p adj < 0.05) and previous sport participation (62.6 % vs. 81.7 %, p < 0.05) than the PTOA group. Anthropometric measurements, sex, radiographic OA scores, comorbidities, smoking, and alcohol consumption were not different. The NTOA group had lower KOOS Pain (58.0 ± 1.2 vs. 64.3 ± 2.1, p adj < 0.05) and Activities of Daily Living (65.6 ± 1.3 vs. 73.9 ± 2.3, p adj < 0.05), higher ICOAP (44.2 ± 1.6 vs. 34.7 ± 2.8, p adj < 0.05), longer 40-m walk times (27.1 ± 0.4 vs. 24.1 ± 0.7 s, p adj < 0.05) and lower 30-s chair-stand repetitions (12.1 ± 0.4 vs. 14.3 ± 0.7, p adj < 0.05). Conclusion The PTOA group had higher daily steps and better physical and psychological health status than the NTOA group, independent of age and sex. Physical activity interventions may benefit those with NTOA more given their lower activity and greater symptomatology.