Effectiveness of quadriceps myofascial release technique for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability.Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a heterogeneous pathology characterized by a complex and multifactorial properties. Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore the effectiveness of Quadriceps myofascial release technique for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Objective: To assess the effect on pain and disability of knee osteoarthritis patients after applying myofascial release to the quadriceps muscle with conventional physiotherapy in comparison with conventional physiotherapy only. Methodology: The study was a Quasi Experimental study design. 30 patients were allocated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The age range was 40 - 75 years old. They received 12 sessions of treatment for 4 weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) & WOMAC were used in the study to see the effectiveness in the pretest and posttest values of pain and disability. Results: Among 30 participants with knee OA in this study, 15 participants received myofascial release technique of the quadriceps muscles along with conventional treatment and 15 participants received conventional physiotherapy. Each participant of both experimental and control group score on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and WOMAC before and after completion of treatment were recorded. Wilcoxon Signed ranked test applied to the post-test pain score of the participants in both groups were revealed a statistically significant difference at the level of (P< 0.05). Following application of treatment, the study found that both the experimental group and the control group had reducing score in pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis patient. Conclusion: This study found that conventional physiotherapy combined with quadriceps myofascial release technique and conventional physiotherapy alone both are effective in improving pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis patients. Both methods are successful in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Knee osteoarthritis, Myofascial Release.