Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex joint degenerative disorder. Pain is a dominant characteristic, becoming persistent and more limiting as the disease progresses, resulting in reduced physical function, quality-of-life. Magnesium deficiency is considered to be a major risk factor for osteoarthritis development and progression. Oral magnesium presents unique challenges for many individuals to effectively restore intracellular magnesium levels. Transdermal magnesium absorption could be more effective than oral absorption due to its greater absorption rate and presents fewer negative effects due to its gastrointestinal tract-bypassing nature. Method: Total 40 subjects with knee osteoarthritis were selected as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to either Group A (intervention) or Group B (conventional), each having 20 patients. Assessment of the outcome measures was done pre and post 8 sessions. Outcome measures used were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Timed up and go test (TUG), 9 Step stair climb test, Knee ROM, Quadriceps strength using pressure biofeedback. Group A was given conventional therapy along with Epsom salt foot soak and Magnesium oil application. Group B was given conventional therapy alone. Result: There was statistically significant improvement seen in all the outcome measures in intragroup analysis with p<0.05. Intergroup analysis showed statistically significant difference in VAS on activity, WOMAC, Knee ROM, Quadriceps strength with p <0.05 indicating Group A performed better than Group B. Conclusion: The study found that Magnesium when used as an adjunct to conventional therapy shows significant difference in pain levels, knee mobility, quadriceps strength and better functionality in activities of daily living. KEYWORDS: Knee osteoarthritis, Epsom salt, Magnesium, Physiotherapy.
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