Effectiveness of vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the effectiveness of Vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching for knee osteoarthritis. Hypothesis: Vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching along with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than only conventional physiotherapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis Null Hypothesis: Vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching along with conventional physiotherapy is not more effective than only conventional physiotherapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis patient. Objectives: To find out the effectiveness of Vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching in terms of pain of knee, range of motion (ROM) of knee joint and activities of daily living (ADL). Methodology: The study was a single blinded Randomized Control Trail (RCT). From the outpatientdepartment, 20 patients with OA of knee were randomly selected and then 10patients with OA of knee were randomly assigned to vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching with conventional physiotherapy group and 10 patients to the only conventional physiotherapy group. The study has been conducted at musculoskeletal department of CRP, Savar. Results: Following treatment the study found that the experimental group showed a high response significant improvement in pain intensity, in knee bending (p<0.05), pain in walking (p=0.05), pain in long time standing (p<.005). Improvement of functional activities were also significant walking (p<0.005), household activities (p<0.05), walking upstairs (p<0.005). Increasing ROM was also significant active flexion (p<.01), passive flexion (p<0.005), passive extension (p<0.05). Conclusion: This true experimental study shows that Vastus lateralis release and iliotibial band stretching with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than only conventional physiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis patient. Key words: Osteoarthritis, Vastus lateralis release, Iliotibial band stretching.