Strengthening Exercises Versus Proprioception and Balance Exercises in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Comparison of the Effect of Strengthening Exercises Versus Proprioception and Balance Exercises in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the effect of balance and proprioception exercises with strengthening exercises on muscle strength, pain, proprioception, function and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Damage or loss of mechanoreceptors in osteoarthritis patients affects balance and proprioception. There are studies showing that proprioceptive deficit is associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis leading to pain and disability. Because the proprioception provides a sense of power generation and allows the power output to be better regulated. When the literature is examined, studies investigating the effects of proprioception and balance exercises on muscle strength, function and pain are limited.

In our study patients will be randomly divided into two groups: Group I (Proprioception and Balance) and Group II (muscle strengthening exercises). While Group I will be applied Proprioception and Balance training exercises, Group II will be applied closed and open kinetic strengthening exercises. Two group will perform exercise 3 times a week during 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have a diagnosis of knee Osteoarthritis according to the American Society of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria,
• Between 45 to 75 years of age
• Can read and write in Turkish language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active synovitis
• Taking any physical therapy section in the last 6 months
• Have a neurological problems that affect walking
• Have an arthritis problem in the ankle and hip joint
• Have a history of lower extremity surgery
• Intraarticular steroid injection in the last 6 months
• Use psychoactive drug
• Have a severe defect of vision and hearing, speech disorders
• Vestibular dysfunction