Effectiveness of quadriceps muscle strengthening on knee joint stability and activities of daily living in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis

Objectives: Knee is the largest weight bearing joint in the body and thereby is affected by diseases such as osteoarthritis more frequently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 4 week physiotherapy exercise program, designed to improve quadriceps muscle strength and girth, and to observe its effect on knee pain and activities of daily life through a pre and post exercise analysis in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis (OA).

 

Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with knee joint osteoarthritis irrespective of gender, over the age of 45 and less than 75 years were recruited for the study. Initially knee joint pain severity was assessed using the VAS (visual analogue scales) and WOMAC questionnaire was used to assess the activities of daily living. The thigh circumference was measured in centimeters. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20.

 

Results: Mean age of osteoarthritis patients was 54 years. There was a statistically significant, reduction in knee pain (p=0.001), improvement of quadriceps muscles girth (p=0.012) and an improvement of daily living activities (p=0.001) after engaging in the physiotherapy exercise program.

 

Conclusion: A four week guided quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise program can significantly increase the quadriceps muscles girth and knee joint stability and reduce pain and improve the activities of daily living in patients with knee OA.