ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION STRETCHING WITH AND WITHOUT ULTRASOUND ON PAIN, STIFFNESS AND DISABILITY IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Nida Ilahi, Sania Naz, Muhammad Atif siddique, Barera Zakrayya, Yasmin kousar, Ayesha Khalid, Shaista Bibi, Bisma Asif, Yusra Asif

ABSTRACT

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease of the knee, is typically the result of wear and tear and progressive loss of articular cartilage. Knee osteoarthritis can be divided into two types, primary and secondary.

Objective: The objective of this study was analysis of Therapeutic effects of PNF stretching with and without Ultrasound on pain, stiffness and disability in knee Osteoarthritis

Methods: Participants were allocated as per the Radiographic evidence of grade 2 or 3 of Kellgren and Lawrence criteria for knee and further will be confirmed by the X-Ray findings. Participants will be measured in terms of pain ,stiffnesss and disability by WOMAC. Group A & Group B randomized by lottery method. The study was single blinded. Participants have receive treatment according to the allocated groups. All study participants havel receive a total of 18 treatments sessions over a six-week period, which consists of 03 treatment sessions per week. Both groups have receive heating pads at the baseline for 10 min.Both groups have receive 30 min/ treatment session for 3 days/week for 6 weeks.Data was collected at baseline and 6th week.Group A have receive PNF (Hold –relax) stretch for 20 min. Group B have receive PNF (Hold-Relax) and Ultrasound for 15 min and 5 min respectively.

Results: Results showed that both PNF with ultrasound and without ultrasound play an important role in improving pain, stiffness and disability. Both groups from baseline to post session (6th week) showed reduction in WOMAC score (p≤0.05). In contrast to group A (PNF) there was a statistically significant reduction in WOMAC score in group B (PNF+ US). It showed that PNF with US was more effective in reducing pain stiffness and disability in knee osteoarthritis patients as compared to PNF alone.

Conclusion: Both Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation and Ultrasound were effective in reducing pain, stiffness and Functional Limitations . However, PNF+US were statistically significant reduction in pain ,stiffness and disability.

Keywords : knee osteoarthritis; pnf techniques ; pain, stiffness and disability exercises.