Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether gastrocnemius myofascial release is effective in reducing pain and improving physical function in females with knee osteoarthritis.

The main question this study aims to answer are:

• Does adding gastrocnemius MFR to conventional physical therapy treatment influence pain, physical function, foot posture, and knee disability compared to conventional physical therapy treatment and sham MFR in knee osteoarthritis?
• Participants receive gastrocnemius myofascial release treatment or sham gastrocnemius myofascial release treatment for 3 times weekly for 4 weeks for both groups.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients' ages ranged between 45 and 55 years .
• BMI ≤35
• Patients with a diagnosis of primary KOA according to the American College of Rheumatology classification at the screening visit .
• Onset of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis of ≥3 months
• Patients with grade II and III OA of the Kellgren and Lawrence system for classification of osteoarthritis .
• At least one active trigger point in GM
• If both knees were diagnosed as OA, the most affected one was selected.
• Current pain intensity on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≥4/10.
• Subjects have sufficient cognition that enables them to understand the requirements of the study, comply with the study procedures, and visit schedule.
• Diagnostic Criteria of KOA

A diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis was made when knee pain is present, plus Osteophytes on radiographs, plus at least 1 of the following 3:

• Age \> 50 years
• Morning stiffness \< 30 minutes
• Crepitus on active motion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with any previous knee surgeries or lower limb fractures.
• Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Signs of moderately significant knee synovitis include a warm and swollen (red) knee
• History and/or physical examination findings compatible with knee internal derangement (e.g, positive Thessaly test).
• Pregnancy
• Patients who had undergone arthroscopy or treatment with intra-articular hyaluronic acid during the previous 6 months .
• Use of NSAIDs one week before the screening visit .
• Orthopedic diseases, or congenital musculoskeletal deformities, or neurological disorders that may affect or interfere with the therapeutic effect.
• Participated in other intervention studies (strength training program or physiotherapy treatment for knee osteoarthritis) in the current period and the past 6 months .
• Habitual use of psychotropic or narcotic analgesics for ≥1 week within 8 weeks prior to screening .