EFFECTS OF MODIFIED GAIT PATTERN WITH ISOMETRIC EXERCISES ON RISK OF FALL IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disorder of the joint that represents one of the most common diseases worldwide. Its prevalence and severity are increasing owing to aging of the population, but treatment options remain largely limited to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, which only provide symptomatic relief. In the late stages of the disease, surgical interventions are often necessary to partial restore joint function. Although the focus of osteoarthritis research has been originally on the articular cartilage, novel findings are now pointing to osteoarthritis as a disease of the whole joint, in which failure of different joint components can occur.

Objective: To check the effects of modified gait pattern with isometric exercises on risk of fall in knee OA patients.

Methodology: A convenient estimated sample of 34 knee osteoarthritis patients with risk of fall was taken from “Allied Hospital” and “Irfan Medical City” Faisalabad,Punjab, Pakistan.

This sample was divided in two treatment groups A and B through randomization. Treatment plan for group A included isometric exercises and group B included modified gait pattern along with isometric exercises. All participants received total 18 treatment sessions over a six -week period time, which consisted of 03 treatment sessions per week. One reading was taken on baseline as pre-treatment reading. After treatment on 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd week the patient completed a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometry measurements form filled by researches and Risk of fall (Desmond scale) after 3 weeks treatment and 9 sessions. Then after the 6 weeks treatment and total 18 sessions completion a Post-treatment reading was taken by NPRS, ROM and risk of fall measurement.

Results: The final assessment of risk of fall in knee OA patients on Desmond scale in A and B groups had shown p values for risk of fall (p=.003), RHR (p=.000) respectively. These values show significant improvement in both groups but more in group B.

Conclusion: This study showed that there were significant improvements in both groups but there were more improvements in reduction of risk of fall in knee OA patients in group B so, it is proved that gait modification along with isometrics is more beneficial than isolated isometrics in reducing risk of fall.

Key terms: Modified gait pattern, Isometric Exercises, Knee Osteoarthritis.