Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to determine the effect of Cryotherapy and selected knee exercises on clinical outcomes of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methods. The researchers utilized interrupted time series research design. Data collection started from 1st of February to the end of August 2017 at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Menofia University Hospitals. A purposive sample of 100 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis assigned alternatively into two equal groups, 50 patients for each group. 91 patients completed the study (48 in group I and 43 in group II). Three instruments were used for data collection. Clinical data assessment sheet, WOMAC knee osteoarthritis scale, and Knee stroke test.

Results and discussion. There was statistically significant improvement in knee joint pain, stiffness, and physical function in study group I throughout the study (p = 0.000) while there wasn’t any statistically significant difference between both groups throughout the assessment time in joint pain (p = 0.236), stiffness (p = 0.454), and physical function (p =.201). There was a statistically significant suppression in knee joint swelling in the study group I P =0.000.

Conclusion: Knee joint pain, stiffness and physical function is enhanced among Knee osteoarthritis patients who performed exercise program followed by cryotherapy and in those who exposed to conventional therapy. Knee swelling is decreased in patients performed exercise program and cryotherapy.

Key words:

osteoarthritis, knee, thermotherapy