Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) poses a challenge to manage and restore functional capabilities among patients. Incorporation of structured exercises, manual therapy and patient education had a significant impact on clinical and functional status of patients. Past research hasexplored benefits of therapy on functions and gait. Although, such studies did not address the functional restoration. Hence, present study was aimedto address the lacunae.
 
 Materials and Methods: 100 patients with mean age and SD; 51.61(5.4) were included. Participants had knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD); grade 2 or 3 on Kellgren and Lawrence scale, were allocated to Experimental Group (EG) and Comparative Group (CG). EG received joint mobilization and Muscle Energy Technique (MET). CG received Interferential therapy (carrier frequency 4 kHz; beat frequency 100 Hz; and sweep frequency 150 Hz). Strengthening exercises and patient education were common for both groups. Intervention lasted two weeks, the post-intervention metrics included; stride length, step length, and cadence for gait and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score.
 
 Results: Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. Frequency and percentage were used for categorical variables; mean andstandard deviation (SD) were used for continuous variables. Post-intervention, there was a significant improvement of gait parameters and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in both groups. CG had a better improvement in STL, SL, CAD with mean of 39.84(5.68), 20.22(2.84), 97.16(3.75) and EG with mean of 44.36(4.48), 22.30(3.75), 92.82(3.75) and p < .0005. However, it was evident that the proportion of functional improvement among CG was lesser.
 
 Conclusion: Inclusion of structured exercises, manual therapy and patient education in intervention would be effective and improve the functional status of DJD patients.
Highlights
Introduction and AimDegenerative Joint Disease (DJD) poses a challenge to manage and restore functional capabilities among patients
Post-intervention, there was a significant improvement of gait parameters and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in both groups
The Comparison group (CG) had a better improvement in gait variable Stride Length (STL), Step Length (SL), CAD with a mean of 39.8(5.7) inches, 20.2(2.8) inches, 97.1(3.7) steps against the Experimental Group (EG) with a mean of 44.3(4.5) inches, 22.30(3.7) inches, 92.8(3.7) steps (Table 3)
Summary
Introduction and AimDegenerative Joint Disease (DJD) poses a challenge to manage and restore functional capabilities among patients. Past research has explored benefits of therapy on functions and gait. Such studies did not address the functional restoration. Knee is a weight-bearing joint of lower limb, which primarily functions to lengthen and shorten the lower extremity. This function assists hip in positioning the foot for various functional activities and gait. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects a large proportion of population throughout the world. It predominantly affects the weight bearing joints such as hip, knee, and vertebral column. Shortening of hamstring muscles is common among patients with
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