2012 Volume 1 Issue 2 Pages 131-135
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a combination of physical and exercise therapies on the knee joint in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Subjects: We evaluated 14 female patients (21 knees) with osteoarthritis of the knee, who did not have a history of undergoing surgery for the disease. Methods: The bending and extending ranges of motion (ROM) of the knee, quadriceps femoris strength, and walking function (walking rate, walking velocity,stride length, step length, step width, as well as stance and swing times) were measured before and after thermal as well as exercise therapies. Results: The ROM of the knee joint, walking rate, and walking velocity significantly improved along with a significantly shortened stance time after each of thermal and exercise therapies. No significant differences in any measurement items were seen between the therapies. Conclusion: Thermal and exercise therapies each showed immediate effects for the limited ROM and walking function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, but the effects of exercise therapy were not greater than those of thermal therapy.
