Decompression Versus Heat and Decompression in Knee OA

Mechanical Knee Decompression With and Without Heating: Impact on Pain, Function, and Range of Motion

a randomized controlled trial tends to compare the effects of adding superficial heating during the application of knee decompression session to the results of decompression alone without heating.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive multifactorial joint disease characterized by chronic pain and functional disability due to the degeneration of the articular cartilage. The knee joint is the most vulnerable joint in the human body and occupies four-fifths of the burden of OA worldwide. Subjects having KOA demonstrate deferent clinical and radiological characteristics such as narrowed joint space, osteophytes around the articular surface, subchondral sclerosis, pain, limited range of motion (ROM), and declined functional status.

Except for the arthroplasty for the severely arthritic knee joint, there is no cure for the degeneration of joint cartilage. Medications, exercises, and physical agents can be used to address the associated pain, muscular tightness, weakness, and physical disability.

Interestingly, previous efforts that applied traction (decompression) on the arthritic knee joint demonstrated favorable results even on the thickness of the articular cartilage. However, these methods were mainly invasive surgical procedures that encountered disadvantages like the risk of infection and prolonged bedridden that might affect the general health of the patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both sexes
• age between 45 to 60 years.
• Normal and or overweight categories of BMI 19-30 kg/m2
• Unilateral (grade 2 and 3) knee OA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiological rating scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• lower limb deformities as genu varum, valgus, flat foot
• leg length discrepancy
• previous trauma and or surgery to the knee joint
• Bone disease
• Inability to refrain from analgesic/anti-inflammatory medications for 6 weeks