Effectiveness of Strength Training Program with and without Hamstring Stretching in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Syeda Rida Fatma; Syed Shakil-Ur-Rehman; Shakeel Ahmad; Arshad Nawaz Malik

Objective: To determine the outcome of strength training programme; with and without hamstring stretching in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Study Design:A Comparative experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: This research study was conducted in department of physical therapy at National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) Islamabad from 1st January to 31st July 2014. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients were randomly selected and placed into two groups. The inclusion criteria were radiologically diagnosed patients of both genders for knee osteoarthritis of age ranges from 40 to 75 years. The isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise; hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS were applied in group A; while group B was treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS. Both the groups were treated for 6 weeks at 3 days per week and Visual Analog Scale (VAS); Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); and knee range of motion were used as assessment tools to assess pain; function; and mobility. The measurements were made at the baseline and at the completion of 6 weeks treatment program to obtain numbered data. The data was analyzed through SPSS-20 and paired t test was applied to assess the statistical significance outcomes at 95% level of significance. Results: The results showed that the patients treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercises and hamstring stretching exercises combined with NSAIDS managed pain; function and mobility clinically and statistically more (p=0.011; p=0.021; p=0.001); as compared with group B treated with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDs (p=0.931; p=0.814; p=0.742); in patients with knee osteoarthritis; as assessed by visual analog scale (VAS); WOMAC index and goniometry. Conclusion: It is concluded that isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise; hamstring stretching exercises and NSAIDS will managed pain; function; and mobility more effectively as compared with isometric quadriceps strengthening exercise and NSAIDS in patients with osteoarthritis.