Effect of Abductor Muscle Strengthening in Osteoarthritis Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic, localized joint disease affecting approximately one-third of adults, with the disease prevalence increasing with advancing age. OA affects many joints including the large, weight bearing joints of the hips and knees and also the spine, hands, feet and shoulders. The knee is the most common weight bearing joint affected by OA, with the disease predominantly affecting the medial compartment of the tibio-femoral joint. Patients with knee OA frequently report symptoms of knee pain and stiffness as well as difficulty with activities of daily living such as walking, stairclimbing and house keeping.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of hip abductor muscle strengthening exercises and conventional physiotherapy treatment with conventional physiotherapy treatment alone in people with unilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methodology: Study included 30 (Thirty) subjects with unilateral medial compartment knee OA, aged 45 years or above. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group -A and Group -B. The subjects were treated for a period of 6 weeks, 6 days a week, once daily. Pain was assessed by VAS score and physical function was assessed by WOMAC Index of Osteoarthritis.

Results: The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Group A showed significant improvement in pain (T=120, p<0.0004).

Conclusion: Hip abductor muscle strengthening exercises showed over all improvement in pain and physical function and is a useful adjunct exercise therapy in treating patients with unilateral medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.