Effect of Myofascial Release on Hamstring Tightness among Knee Osteoarthritis Patient

Abstract

Background: Conventional physiotherapy treatment such as strengthening and stretching are widely practiced by physiotherapist on patient with knee Osteoarthritis. However, usage of myofascial release technique is quite rare among therapist to treat knee Osteoarthritis and there is lack of evidence supporting the importance of Myofascial release in treating knee Osteoarthritis. Objective: To study the effect of Myofascial release technique in hamstring tightness among knee Osteoarthritis patient. Method: 30 subjects were selected based on randomized control trial method. Group A undergone both myofascial release and conventional therapy while group B only received conventional therapy treatment. Pre and post-test of active knee extension test, VAS pain score and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score(KOOS) was taken and recorded. Result: There are significant difference in pain VAS score in Group A as compared to Group B with the mean values of 1.73(group A) and 0.87(group B)(t value=2.432,p value=<0.024). Another finding in this study was significant difference in improvement in hamstring flexibility (AKET) in group A compared to group B with the mean values of 12.13(group A) and 8.53(group B)(t value=4.106,p value=<0.0001). As for KOOS, there are significant difference and improvement in functional disability in group A as differentiated to group B with the mean values of 12.13(group A) and 8.53(group B)(t value=4.106,p value=<0.0001).Conclusion: The study showed that Myofascial release shows effectiveness in improving active knee extension range of motion, improved pain VAS score and decreased functional disability in patient with knee osteoarthritis condition.