Abstract

Background. Quadriceps femoris muscle significantly affected knee osteoarthritic patients. Weakness and atrophy occur as a result of muscle unloading and dysfunction. As the maximum force produced by a muscle has a direct proportion to its cross-sectional area (CSA), the current study revealed that static magnetic stimulation (SMS) is beneficial for improving CSA of the quadriceps muscle. Purpose. To examine the influence of magnetic stimulation on CSA of the quadriceps muscle in knee osteoarthritis patients and hence knee function. Materials and Methods. This study adopted a randomized controlled trial design. Twenty-four patients with both knee osteoarthritis (Grades II and III) participated. The participants, aged between 45–55 years, were randomly assigned to two groups. Group (A) received magnetic first stimulation in addition to selected physical therapy consisting of ultrasound device and isometric exercise for quadriceps. Group (B) received selected physical therapy consisting of ultrasound device and isometric exercise for quadriceps only. Two therapeutic sessions were given weekly for three consecutive weeks. Outcome measures were CSA of quadriceps at both sides and Lysholm knee scoring for assessment of the functional ability of the knee joint. These measures were taken before and after three consecutive weeks of intervention. Results. Within groups, the analysis showed a statistically significant increase for all measured variables in the two studied groups (p < 0.05). Between groups, the analysis revealed that quadriceps at both side and Lyshlom were significant increase in group (A) compared to group (B). Conclusions. Adding SMS to quadriceps strengthening exercises improved the CSA of quadriceps, which protects muscle from being atrophied and hence improved the knee joint functions more than quadriceps strengthening exercises alone.

Key words:

Electromyostimulation, Knee osteoarthritis, Quadriceps femoris, Strengthening exercises