ABSTRACT:
OA is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the joint cartilage, subchondral bone, and the synovial joint capsule. It has a multifactorial etiology and affects approximately 60% of individuals older than 50 years of age2. The knee is the most common weight-bearing joint affected by OA with the disease predominantly affecting the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint2. Patients with OA frequently report symptoms of knee pain and stiffness as well as difficulty with activities of daily living such as walking, stair climbing and housekeeping. Many forces acting in the knee joint cause biomechanical imbalance due to the joint loading which cause early degeneration of the joint which leads to OA knee18. The method of experimental study design was used, 30 OA knee patients aged between 40 and 60 were selected. Group A (n=15) receive both medial and lateral hamstring strengthening exercise and group B (n=9) receive only lateral hamstring strengthening. The outcome measures numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), WOMAC disability index scale, Q angle measurement with X-ray (Kelgren Lawrence method), maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) of pre and post measurements were done and statistical data was analysed. The study results states that there is a high significant difference in NRPS, WOMAC, Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction in group B compared with group A. The findings of the present study support the use of lateral hamstring strengthening exercise is effective in women with osteoarthritis knee