Performance Therapy

Cycling is shown to be good for people with osteoarthritis and people who are recovering from knee surgery. Here is the abstract of the artical

Loading of the Knee Joint During Ergometer Cycling: Telemetric In Vivo Data

Ines Kutzner, Bernd Heinlein, Friedmar Graichen, Antonius Rohlmann, Andreas M. Halder, Alexander Beier, Georg Bergmann

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2012.4001

STUDY DESIGN: Within-subject, repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVES: To measure tibiofemoral contact forces during cycling in vivo and to quantify the influences of power, pedaling cadence, and seat height on tibiofemoral contact forces. BACKGROUND: Cycling is usually classified as a low-demand activity for the knee joint and is therefore recommended for persons with osteoarthritis and rehabilitation programs following knee surgery. However, there are limited data regarding actual joint loading. METHODS: Instrumented knee implants with telemetric data transmission were used to measure the tibiofemoral contact forces. Data were obtained in 9 subjects, during ergometer cycling and walking, 15 ± 7 months after total knee arthroplasty. Tibiofemoral forces during cycling at power levels between 25 and 120 W, cadences of 40 and 60 rpm, and 2 seat heights were investigated. RESULTS: Within the examined power range, tibiofemoral forces during cycling were smaller than those during walking. At the moderate condition of 60 W and 40 rpm, peak resultant forces of 119% of body weight were measured during the pedal downstroke. Shear forces ranged from 5% to 7% of body weight. Forces increased linearly with cycling power. Higher cadences led to smaller forces. A lower seat height did not increase the resultant force but caused higher posterior shear forces. CONCLUSION: Due to the relatively small tibiofemoral forces, cycling with moderate power levels is suited for individuals with osteoarthritis and rehabilitation programs following knee surgery, such as cartilage repair or total knee replacement. The lowest forces can be expected while cycling at a low power level, a high cadence, and a high seat height.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(12):1032-1038, Epub 5 September 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4001

As seen in the Idaho Falls Magazine Winter Fun Guide 2010-11 

http://www.mygazines.com/issue/20467  Page-18

Looking for some new options in physical therapy services? How about specialization in sport injuries, post operative orthopedic injuries, women’s health and custom orthotics? Stephanie Liddle, a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer, may be just the provider you’re looking for.

Liddle was born and raised in Eastern Idaho, and graduated from Boise State and Idaho State universities. She has been practicing the last 15 years as a physical therapist in Eastern Idaho focusing on orthopedics and sports, but is also branching out into women’s health.

All this certainly looks good on paper, but even more impressive is Liddle’s professional and personal background. She has extensive experience in sports as an athletic trainer, as well as being an athlete herself. In fact, she has been hooked on triathlons for the past five years and has placed first in several local triathlons. She carried her sports expertise one step further as a member of the medical team for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, working on short track speed and figure skating athletes.

In addition to the “day job,” Liddle also volunteers for Grand Targhee Ski Patrol in the winters, assessing snow skiing injuries. She currently sits on the Idaho State Board of Physical Therapy volunteering her time in Boise and around the country for board meetings.

For more information, contact Liddle at 529-3232.