Rehabilitation effect of isokinetic muscle training combined with semiconductor laser on acute knee osteoarthritis

Objective To evaluate the effect of isokinetic muscle training combined with semiconductor laser on acute knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Ninety-eight KOA patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. All patients were treated with conventional rehabilitation treatment and nursing. Based on that treatment, the group 1 received semiconductor laser irradiation, the group 2 received isokinetic muscle training, and the group 3 received laser irradiation combined with isokinetic muscle training. All patients were assessed with WOMAC osteoarthritis rating scale and affected knee extensor and flexor muscles strength measurement including peak torque, peak work, average power, average work and flex/extend before and 4 weeks after the treatment. Results All of the four treatments can significantly alleviate the condition of acute KOA patients and improve the muscle condition around the ipsilateral knee joint. The isokinetic muscle training improves the knee function of KOA patients better than the laser irradiation treatment. Isokinetic strength training combined with laser irradiation can get the most significant improvement of knee joint pain, stiffness, dysfunction, muscle strength of flexors and extensors in KOA patients. Conclusions The combination of isokinetic muscle training and semiconductor laser irradiation has a significant effect on relieving pain, reducing the stiffness, improving the function of knee of the patients with KOA in the acute phase and improving the muscle strength of the affected lower extremities. That methad is superior to drug therapy, physical therapy, or exercise alone, and is better to solve the problem of relieving symptoms and enhancing function simultaneously. Key words: Knee osteoarthritis; Laser; Isokinetic muscle strength exercise; Rehabilitation