The therapeutic effects of isokinetic strength training combined with intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and joint mobilization for patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To observe any effects of using isokinetic strengthening exercises combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate and joint mobilization in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods Eighty-one KOA patients were divided into a combined treatment group,a conventional treatment group and a control group.The combined treatment group received isokinetic strengthening training,intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate and joint mobilization therapy; the conventional treatment group received the injections and mobilization only; the control group was instructed to do ankle pumps at home on their own.Before the start of treatment and after 4 weeks,knee pain was self-assessed [using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain] along with knee range of motion (ROM),quality of life (using the WOMAC condensed health survey rating scale) and indexes of isokinetic strength [including the knee flexors,extensor peak torque (PT),and the flexion and extension angles corresponding peak torque (AOPT)] in both groups.Results After 4 weeks of treatment,statistically significant improvements compared to the baseline values were observed in both groups.The combined treatment group,however,improved to a significantly greater extent than the conventional treatment group in terms of all of the measures.Conclusion Isokinetic strength training combined with intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate and joint mobilization has a synergistic effect in enhancing knee stability and improving the performance in activities of daily life of KOA patients. Key words: Knee osteoarthritis; Isokinetic strength training; WOMAC index