A. Javed1, S.A. Arslan1, A. Ahmad1
1The University of Lahore, Physiotherapy, Lahore, Pakistan
Background: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common arthritis clinically characterized by joint pain, functional limitation, reduce range of motion of joint and muscle strength. There is a treatment protocol for the individuals with knee osteoarthritis but the evidence lacks on the significance of soft tissues mobilization as an immediate treatment option to reduce symptoms for individuals with knee osteoarthritis
Purpose: To evaluate the immediate efficacy of soft tissue mobilization on pain, range of motion and functional capacity of individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: After approval from Institutional Review Board, this randomized controlled trial was conducted on ninety patients were assessed for eligibility (55 females and 35 males) with mean age of 55.41 years with obesity (range BMI 30-40kg/m2). Patients were recruited and diagnosed by orthopedic surgeon from Suriya Orthopedic Center, Pattoki, Kasur. Single session treatment of soft tissue mobilization was given to individuals with knee osteoarthritis (II-III grade of Kellgren-Lawrence scale). Data were collected immediately before and after the treatment. Visual Analog Pain Scale was used to assess the pain intensity, Range of motion was assessed by goniometer while 4-meter walk speed was used to evaluate the functional capacity.
Results: Total 90 individuals with knee osteoarthritis (N=90, 55 females and 35 males), with mean age (55.4 years), were included in the study. All the participants were received soft tissue mobilization and data were collected immediately before and after the treatment. After comparing pretreatment and post-treatment values, significant difference was found in pain, range of motion and functional capacity (p<0.05).
Conclusion(s): In this study we found that the soft tissue mobilization is effective for individuals with knee osteoarthritis to improve the pain, range of motion and functional capacity. Thus, the soft tissue mobilization is an adjuvant treatment option for individuals with knee osteoarthritis as it enhanced the performance during the proposed tests. Further research is required to investigate the long-term efficacy of soft tissue mobilization.
Implications: Soft tissue mobilization has effective immediate effects on individuals with knee osteoarthritis. As the knee osteoarthritis requires a long-term treatment protocol, so soft tissue mobilization is an adjuvant treatment option to be included in the treatment protocol of knee osteoarthritis as to minimize the treatment duration and increase the efficacy of knee osteoarthritis treatment.
Funding, acknowledgements: The study is funded by, University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore.
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, knee joint, soft tissue mobilization
Topic: Orthopaedics
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore.
Committee: Approved by Ethical Committee of University Institute of Physical Therapy
Ethics number: NTR4224
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
