Manual therapy can be a potential therapy in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of diversified etiology that causes the degeneration of the articular cartilage leading to proliferation of novel bone and reshaping of joint outline. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, to examine the effects of manual therapy training and neuromuscular training on knee OA. Materials and Methods: We conveniently selected a sample of 58 patients and placed into two groups. Manual therapy was applied in Group A and neuromuscular training in Group B along with conventional physiotherapy for 4 weeks. Results: The goniometry, visual analog scale, and Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index for knee OA were assessment tools to assess all the patients before and after 2 weeks of physical therapy intervention. Patients in Group A showed marked improvement as compared to Group B (P>0.05). Conclusion: The manual therapy group shows better results in improving pain and reducing physical disability. This study concluded that manual therapy had a more positive impact in improving pain, range of motion, and function as compared to those patients who were treated by neuromuscular training.