EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUAL TRACTION IN COMPARISON TO ELECTROTHERAPY (TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION - TENS) IN THE TREATMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS
Keywords:
Knee Pain, Traction, Mobilization, Tibio-Femoral Joint, TENS, Knee OA.Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of manual traction in knee arthritis patients in
comparison to electrotherapy (TENS).
STUDY DESIGN
Randomized Control Trial (Experimental Study).
STUDY SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS
Study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital with a sample of 310 participants.
INTERVENTIONS
Manual traction and Electrotherapy Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) will be used to manage pain in patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Oxford Knee Pain Scale was used to measure pain and functional activities.
RESULTS
Improvements were seen in both groups but results of manual traction were
more significant. There were major differences present in knee pain intensity
before and after treatment. The group that received manual traction reported
a decrease in the severity of pain of mean 15.01 which is comparatively
better than the group that received electro therapy and reported a
decrease in severity of pain of mean 12.42.
CONCLUSION
The result of this research supports the application of manual TF joint traction
as a mean of stretching shortened articular and periarticular tissues with
decreased in levels of pain either during the treatment or at the end of
session. There is significant improvement in knee flexion AROM. Pain level
decreases during every treatment session.
KEY WORDS
Knee Pain, Traction, Mobilization, Tibio-Femoral Joint, TENS, Knee OA.
