Differentiating Ligament Sprains, Muscle Strains, And Osteoarthritis Through Biomechanical Assessment: Implications For Diagnosis And Treatment.

Abstract

Nikhil Deep Kolanu

The distinction between ligament sprains, muscle strains and osteoarthritis can make or break an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment outcomes of a patient. The mechanism of injury in ligament sprains involves motion analysis and joint kinetics that identify the damaged ligaments thus making it possible to tailor rehabilitation protocols for each individual patient, additionally serving as a prevention strategy for injuries. One can detect muscle imbalances or abnormal activation patterns typical of muscle strains through force plate analysis combined with electromyography thus participation in a neuromuscular training program and specific strengthening exercises will help these muscles function better and further reduce the risk of re-injury. For patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis, biomechanical assessment provides insight into abnormal joint loading patterns and kinematics which influence disease progression hence there is a need for interventions such as gait modifications, orthotics or joint protection strategies aimed at reducing pain enhancing the functionality of joints or even decelerating degeneration processes. Clinical professionals should take heed of these biomechanical considerations while planning for all-round therapy which focuses on rectification of musculoskeletal deficiencies underlying this problem thereby optimizing patient outcome.

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