Myofascial Release on the Patella Alters the Thickness of the Fat Pad and Range of Motion of Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] We performed myofascial release on the patella for knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients and investigated the changes in the knee joint flexion range of motion and infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). [Participants and Methods] This study included 25 medial type primary knee osteoarthritis patients: 70.9 ± 9.9 years old, OA grade 2.1 ± 1.0. The heel buttock distance (HBD) and the thickness of the IFP measured using ultrasonography were measured before and after the treatment. Three myofascial release methods (patella separation release, infra, and supra patella release) were conducted for three minutes. [Results] After the treatment, HBD improved from an average of 14.2 cm to 10.1 cm, and the thickness of IFP decreased from an average of 21.6 mm to 20.7 mm. [Conclusion] Myofascial release on the patella was effective at reducing the HBD. The clinical significance of the change in IFP thickness needs to be further investigated.