Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 130-136
Effect of Therapeutic Exercise Vs Retro Walking In Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis
Sumathi. G1, Ramamoorthy V2, Surekha. K3, Gomathi. P4
1Senior Physiotherapist, 2HOD, 3,4Physiotherapist,
Department of PMR, PSG Hospitals, Coimbatore, India
Corresponding Author: Sumathi. G
ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and one of the major health problems that cause functional impairment and reduced quality of life. There is osteophyte formation remodeling of subarticular bone, ligamentous laxity, and synovial inflammation weakening of periarticular muscles. These changes may occur as a result of an imbalance in the equilibrium between the break down and repair of joint tissue. Hamstring tightness and quadriceps weakness are the major problems in osteoarthritis individuals. Tightness of hamstring muscle and quadriceps weakness can cause pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Stretching of hamstring and strengthening of quadriceps muscle can improve the pain and strength of the muscles around the knee joint. Retro walking can help in strengthening of the quadriceps muscles.
Methods: It was a Quasi experimental study with comparison between 2 groups consisting 30 participants (males and females) 15 in each group, with osteoarthritis. Group A received Hamstring stretch and quadriceps strengthening exercises and Group B received Retro walking, for 9 sessions, 3 days/week for a period of 3 weeks. Outcome measure was WOMAC and NRS measured before and after intervention.
Results: The results suggest that participants in Group B had significant improvement in NRS and WOMAC than Group A.
Conclusions: Both group A and group B showed significant results and displayed efficient improvement in decreasing pain and functional disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Key words: Retro walking, Knee Osteoarthritis, Exercises, Pain and disability.