Ergon Technique Versus PNF Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility in Knee Osteoarthritis

Comparison of Ergon Technique Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

The study will be a randomized control trial and will be conducted in Pakistan Railway Hospital Rawalpindi. A sample of 60 participants will be taken. Patients will be divided into two groups (A&B) of 30 participants in each group by sealed envelope method. Hot pack will be applied to both groups for 15 minutes at the start of intervention. ERGON Technique(IASTM) will be applied to group A along with strengthening exercise. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching will be given to group B along with strengthening exercise. A 35 minute session will be given to the patients and 3 sessions will be given once a week. Intervention will be given for 6 weeks. The outcome measure will be Visual analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and Active Knee Extension Test (AKE) will be measured at baseline and at the end of 6th week. Data will be analyzed by SPSS 22.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Unilateral/bilateral osteoarthritis
• Participants with unilateral/bilateral hamstring tightness
• 200 from Active Knee Extension test
• Grade 1 and 2 in Kellgren and Lawrence criteria for knee osteoarthritis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant failing to fall in the category below will be excluded from the study:
• Any lower extremity injury in past 3 months
• Any fracture or surgery done for pelvis, hip or knee.
• Any neurological symptoms.
• Any recent knee reconstructive surgery
• Burns of lower extremities
• Other musculoskeletal disorders associated with knee joint, Iliotibial band, adductor muscle and Sartorius muscle tightness