Effect of Mulligan’s Mobilization on Unilateral Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis; A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of Mulligan’s Mobilization on unilateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Methodology: A randomized control trial was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Khyber Teaching Hospital, and Naseer Ullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital Peshawar. Thirty patients with unilateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two groups. Both males and females aged 40 to 60 years and diagnosed with case of tibiofemoral OA were included in the study. Patients with a history of TKR and metabolic and endocrine disease were excluded from the study. Each group consists of 15 patients. Group “A” received Mulligan’s Mobilization along with diathermy (experimental group). Group “B” received conventional physical therapy along with diathermy (control group). Both groups were treated for four weeks with three sessions per week on alternate days. WOMAC scale was used for functional activity, stiffness, and pain. VAS was used for pain severity. A goniometer was used for the assessment of the range of motions. Results: A total of thirty patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis participated in this study, the percentage of male and female participants were 33.3% and 66.7% respectively. The experimental and control groups showed no statistical differences in pain intensity post-study with a P = 0.60 (P>0.05). The scores of WOMAC also show no statistical differences in both groups after intervention with a P = 0.34 (P>0.05). The experimental and control groups showed no statistical differences in flexion range post-study with a P = 0.30 (P>0.05). Conclusion: Both Mulligan’s Mobilization and conventional therapy can effectively increase the range of motion, decrease pain, and increase the functional activity of patients with knee osteoarthritis.