Comparative effects of balance exercise and routine physical therapy exercise on knee function and fall risk in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

The most common musculoskeletal disease is knee osteoarthritis among older people. This

disease can lead to postural impairments, causing instability, which reduces balance and

increases the patient's risk of falling as the disease progresses. This study aimed to evaluate

the effects of knee strengthening exercises on reducing the risk of falls among knee

osteoarthritis patients. The research settings were the District headquarter Hospital Chiniot,

Anmol, and Chiniot General Hospital, Faisalabad. Thirty-two patients with knee osteoarthritis

aged 40-60 years were equally divided into two groups. Treatment applied for 4 weeks

consisting of three sessions a week. The intervention group received balance exercise and

conventional therapy, while the control group received only conventional therapy, including

stretching and strengthening exercises. Outcome measures such as Knee Injury and

Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were filled out before

and after treatment. An independent t-test was applied to compare the intergroup. After 4

weeks of treatment, no statistical difference was found between the two groups regarding knee

function (P>0.05). However, the intervention group showed more improvement in the balance

of patients than the control group (P›0.013). Balance exercises were proven to reduce fall risk

and improve balance in knee osteoarthritis patients, but these exercises do not significantly

affect knee function in comparison to routine physical therapy exercises.