Isometric Quadriceps Exercises for Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Knee Joint Position Flexion versus Extension

Abstract

Objective. To compare the effect of quadriceps isometric exercises performed in two different positions in addition to the combined physical therapy program on pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. A total of 30 patients with OA (age range 45 to 70 years) who were admitted to Istanbul Private Ekotom Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of performing the quadriceps isometric exercises as group 1 (performing in knee extension, n = 14 ) and group 2 (performing in knee flexion, n = 15 ). All patients also received a combined physical therapy program. Exercise protocols were applied six days a week for four weeks. The pain was evaluated using a 10 cm visual analog scale for pain (VAS) in rest and activity; pain, joint stiffness, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results. A significant difference was found in the VAS and WOMAC scores of both groups in group comparisons ( p < 0.05 ). When the groups were compared in terms of change values, a significant difference was found in the WOMAC stiffness score in favor of group I ( p < 0.05 ). Discussion. It is possible to obtain positive results with quadriceps isometric exercises to reduce pain and joint stiffness and increase physical function in patients with knee OA. However, exercises performed in knee extension were found to be more effective in reducing joint stiffness.

Effect of Quadriceps Isometric Exercise on Reducing Pain in Elderly Communities With Knee Osteoarthritis

“…It was found that there was a decrease in pain intensity in the intervention group of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee experience functional limitations such as changing positions from sitting, standing and lying down, walking, climbing stairs, praying, and in more severe cases, they can cause disability, requiring assistive devices to walk (Guo et al, 2022;Sengul et al, 2022). The main clinical feature of knee osteoarthritis is pain in the movement of the knee.…”

“…The increase occurred after observation to control severe pain by 13 respondents and moderate pain by two respondents. There were significant differences in the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores of the intervention group and the control group which showed a decrease in pain in the intervention group with a onemonth treatment time (Anwer and Alghadir, 2014;Hasan et al, 2022;Sengul et al, 2022). This is caused by changes in the length of the quadriceps femoris muscle in the knee joint, which helps stabilize the joint, decreases neuromuscular impulses, and slows axoplasmic transport, thereby reducing the muscle load on the knee joint during activities (Smithard et al, 2022).…”

“…Osteoarthritis is a musculoskeletal disease that often occurs with heterogeneous conditions that cause joint symptoms and signs (Anzari, 2018;Sengul et al, 2022). The prevalence of osteoarthritis globally is included in the high category, ranging from 2.3% to 11.3%, and ranks 12th among all existing diseases (Sengul et al, 2022). Of the incidence of osteoarthritis in America aged 18 -24 years, 7% of men and 2% of women describe osteoarthritis of the hand.…”

Penatalaksanaan Fisioterapi Pada Gangguan Gerak Dan Fungsi Ekstremitas Bawah Pada Post Op Bone Graft Pada Distal Femur Sinistra E.C Aneurysmal Bone Cyst : Case Report

“…Latihan ini dilakukan secara statis, tanpa adanya gerakan, namun tetap terjadi kontraksi otot. Latihan ini merupakan latihan penguatan sederhana yang dapat dilakukan secara mandiri tanpa memerlukan alat bantu lain(Sengul et al, 2022). Pengukuran kekuatan otot pada m. quadriceps mengalami peningkatan setelah diberikan latihan berupa Isometric exercise.…”