Abstract
Background. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent arthropathy across the world. It presents with swelling, pain, decreased range of motion (ROM) and instability. Patients also complain of thigh muscle weakness and lower limb weakness resulting in poor joint shielding and joint overload. Owing to these presenting features patients are prone to increased risk of morbidity and are forced to live with functional impairment. Exercises are one of the vital intervention programme used in knee OA. Exercises lead to improvement in physical function, strengthening of the muscles and reduction in pain. Neuromuscular exercises have effects on functional performance, biomechanics and activation pattern of surrounding musculatures of the patient. Therefore, neuromuscular exercises may prove to be beneficial in enhancing the efficacy of exercise training programmes in such patients due to functional instability and disturbed neuromuscular function. Purpose. This article intends to review the effect and role of neuromuscular exercises in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Method. Comprehensive computerized search was performed on Google Scholar, Pubmed and Cochrane. Conclusion. By evaluating various articles on neuromuscular exercises in knee osteoarthritis the present review suggest that neuromuscular exercises are helpful in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Highlights
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent arthritic condition which leads to reduced physical function and pain leading to poor quality of life (QOL) [1]
Joint loading plays an important role in development and further progression of the disease
Therapies directing towards mechanical load, sensorimotor control, are useful in treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent arthritic condition which leads to reduced physical function and pain leading to poor quality of life (QOL) [1] It affects about one third of population, and this may progress to aggravated stage of condition which is often an indication for knee joint replacement [2]. Knee OA patients present with instability, pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion These presenting features cause impairment in functional activities which increases the morbidity and fatality in affected person [4,5]. Pain, swelling, inflammation, joint laxity and damage to sensory receptors in the joint cause the neural inhibition. These factors inhibit the muscle to be fully activated by altered excitability of spinal and supraspinal pathways [8]. Neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) programs include the various sensori-motor function and functional stability for improving function and to reduce the symptoms
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