Effect of elastic band treadmill walking on gait and balance in osteoarthritis knee patients- Randomized control trial

Abstract

Background

Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory degenerative disorder of the joints characterized by progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage of the bone and new bone formation. Weight bearing joints like the Hip and Knee are the most involved joints. In the osteoarthritic pain and walking difficulty is the main presenting symptom and in occurs usually during or after weight bearing activity. Approximately 10 to 30% of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis have pain sever enough to limit function and cause disability.

Objective

Effects of elastic band treadmill walking and ground walking in osteoarthritis knee patients.

Materials and Methodology

Total number of 30 osteoarthritis knee patients between age group of 50 to 70 years of both male and female with stage 1 and 2 were selected by simple random sampling. Dynamic gait index and berg balance scale was used to assess gait and balance pre and post intervention. Intervention is based on static, strengthening exercises and treadmill walking 5 times a week for 6 weeks for 30 minutes.

Results

After comparing pre and post intervention data using patient paired t test results showed that there was significant improvement in gait and balance (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

There is significant improvement in elastic band treadmill walking in osteoarthritis knee patients.