Comparative effects of Cryostretching and Contract -relax technique on knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a condition in which cartilage in knee joint is degenerated and causes rubbing of bones together leading to pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion and quality of life. Cryostretching is used to reduce muscle spasm by combining cold application to produce numbness and then muscle is elongated using stretching. Contract-relax technique uses the development of tension in a muscle by isotonic contraction to facilitate the relaxation and therefore stretch a muscle which can improve circulation, elasticity and range of motion.

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the effects of cryostretching and contract-relax technique on knee osteoarthritis patient and determine which technique was more beneficial.

Materials and methodology: It was a quasi-experimental study design in which purposive sampling was used on osteoarthritic patients of government hospitals of Faisalabad having a certain inclusion and exclusion criteria along with consent form being signed prior to enrollment of subjects. Weekly follow up was measured by using WOMAC questionnaire. Duration of this study was of 4 weeks including 30 subjects ranging from 40-60 years of age. Data analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results: The subjects who were placed in the cryostretching group during the whole procedure reaped more benefits than the subjects placed in contract-relax group. Conclusion: The results concluded that even though cryostretching was found to be better than other, all the patients were benefited greatly through their treatment.

Key words: Osteoarthritis, contract-relax, cryostretching, cartilage degeneration.