Association between Hamstring Flexibility and Functional Performance of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease. The treatments of patient with knee osteoarthritis focused on pain reduction, improve joint motion, enhancement of muscle strength and endurance. However, little attention was given to hamstring flexibility training. It is believed that hamstring flexibility plays an important role in functional performance of patient with knee osteoarthritis. Aim: The present study was aimed to find out the correlation between hamstring flexibility and functional performance in patient with knee Osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis matched with the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) was used to evaluate the hamstring tightness. Functional performance of participants was assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Pearson's product moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between hamstring flexibility and functional performance of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation between hamstring flexibility and total WOMAC score (+0.467, p = 0.005). The component of WOMAC was also analysed separately pain (+0.369, p = 0.029), physical function (+0.418, p = 0.012) and (+0.273, p = 0.113). The results of the present study shows that decreased in hamstring flexibility in patient with knee osteoarthritis causes significant reduction in physical functional and pain. Conclusion: The results states that decreased in hamstring flexibility in patient with osteoarthritis causes functional limitation. Therefore, it is essential to suggest flexibility exercises for knee osteoarthritis patients during physical therapy.