KNEE EFFUSION AND REFLEX INHIBITION OF THE QUADRICEPS

Abstract

In order to investigate the difficulty of quadriceps training in the presence of an effusion into the knee we examined 13 patients with chronic effusions by recording isometric muscle strength. Maximal strength was markedly lower in the presence of an effusion, and aspiration of the effusion produced a 13.6% increase in strength (p < 0.01). A further, small increase of 8% was recorded after intra-articular lignocaine injection. Isometric strength and surface integrated EMG correlated well in six patients.