Effect of spinal and lower limb re-alignment protocol on bilateral medial compartment Osteoarthritis of knee in postmenopausal women

Objective:The alignment of spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis is significantly influenced by knee osteoarthritis. Joint alignment is the main bio-mechanical risk factor for progression of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of spinal and lower limb realignment protocol on bilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis in postmenopausal women and to compare it with the conventional method of treatment for osteoarthritis of knee.Method: A study sample of 98 post-menopausal subjects having bilateral knee osteoarthritis with medial compartment involvement were selected and equally divided into two groups as the control group and the experimental group. Assessment of pain, knee range of motion, quadriceps and hip abductor strength, and posture for spinal and lower limb malalignment was taken before and after giving the treatment regime to both the groups. Comparison was carried out between the results of the two groups. Results:The results showed how significantly the mal-aligned structures were re-aligned after giving 8 weeks of realignment protocol and how significantly this resulted in better reduction of pain intensity and improvement in knee range of motion and strength of quadriceps and hip abductor muscles in experimental group as compared to the control group. Conclusion:Re-aligning the spinal and lower limb malalignment present in postmenopausal women with bilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis results in pain reduction associated with knee joint and improved knee range of motion and strength of quadriceps and hip abductor muscles in these individuals as compared to the ones receiving conventional physiotherapy.