Osteopathic manipulative treatment improves function and relieves pain in knee osteoarthritis: A single-blind, randomized-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to exercise treatment in the knee osteoarthritis (OA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 patients (9 males, 76 females; mean age 54.8±8.5 years; range, 40 to 70 years) with Stage II-III bilateral knee OA enrolled to the study and randomized into two groups between January 2015 and June 2015. Group 1 performed exercise and received OMT and Group 2 performed exercise alone. We assessed the clinical parameters with Western Ontario MacMaster Questionnaire (WOMAC) pain score, WOMAC joint stiffness score, WOMAC physical function score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and 50-m walking time. All patients were assessed at the beginning of the study, just after the treatment, and four weeks after the treatment.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between groups in terms of physical examination and clinical assessment parameters before treatment. Functional improvement (p<0.05) and pain relief (p<0.05) were significantly higher in the exercise + OMT group.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study results, OMT is a particular treatment used by osteopathic physicians to complement conventional treatment of OA of the knee. In addition to the conservative treatment, OMT can be used.