Comparison of Hip Strengthening Exercises and Core Stability Exercises in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease with complex etiology that results in loss of normal joint function due to damage to the articular cartilage. It is characterized by pain, swelling, inflammation and narrowing in articular cartilage. Hip muscle weakness has been observed in persons with knee OA and poor core stability may be one of the other contributing factors that lead to knee OA development as well as its progression. Core stabilization and muscular synergism of the trunk and hip work is an effective way to improve lower limb strength balance and prevent injury. So the lumbopelvic stability is vital to support loads on the knee joint.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint results in chronic pain and functional decline among older adults. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease with complex etiology that results in loss of normal joint function due to narrowing of the articular cartilage. The pathogenesis of knee OA is the result of interaction between mechanical loading, articular cartilage damage, and incomplete repair mechanisms. These changes eventually cause progressive joint degeneration and failure, leading to chronic knee pain and progressive restriction of knee joint mobility. Core muscle endurance deficiency leads to an increase in the loading of the knee, as well as in knee joint contact force during dynamic movement. Hence, poor core stability may be one of the contributing factors that lead to knee OA development as well as its progression. On the other hand hip muscle weakness has been observed in persons with knee OA and to increase the medial compartment loading on the knee joint. This increases the force on the medial compartment of the stance leg, and the disease starts succeeding. Core stabilization and muscular synergism of the trunk and hip work is an effective way to improve lower limb strength balance and prevent injury. Considering the strength deficits in the hip muscles as well as core muscles, a targeted exercise program for knee osteoarthritis include hip muscle strengthening and core strengthening might reduce the medial compartment loading and improve knee symptoms. Core stability and hip strengthening exercise along with Knee Physical therapy and conventional therapy as a mode of treatment in knee OA and it may help clinicians to treat subjects with knee OA at risk of a decline in muscle strength, range of motion, functional disability and pain.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 40-65
2. Diagnose case of knee OA grade 2, 3.
3. Side of involved leg: right or left.
4. Unilateral knee.
5. Gender both male and female.
6. Pre-diagnostics referred by orthopedics.
7. Able to walk without gait aids.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inflammatory arthritis
2. Osteoarthritis of the hips
3. Having had previous knee or hip surgery.
4. Patient who had amputated leg and who don't have any lower extremity disorders.
5. Received intra-articular injection within 6 months.
6. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or cortisone use over an extended period.
7. Patients who had neurological and muscle problem