ABSTRACT
Introduction
Viscosupplementation and strength training are proposed interventions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Objective
To describe the isokinetic response in women with knee osteoarthritis who underwent both interventions.
Methods
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving thirty women diagnosed with grade II and III bilateral knee osteoarthritis using the radiological criteria of Kellgren & Lawrence. The subjects were randomized into three groups of ten patients each: one group was submitted to viscosupplementation and strength training (VST), another was submitted to strength training (ST) only, and a third to viscosupplementation (VS) only. All evaluations followed the study phases defined as pre-procedure (PRE); after 48 hours of VS (POS-VS); after 12 weeks of training (POS T); and after eight weeks of detraining (POS D). Intra-articular knee infiltrations were performed with a single dose of Hylan GF-20 and isokinetic dynamometry to determine the maximum torque in knee extension and flexion. Pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results
The interventions promoted improvements in the isokinetic response in all three groups and in both muscle groups, with advantage for the extensor group. A significant difference was noticed in the isokinetic response of the trained groups when compared only to the viscosupplemented group (p<0.005), and the VST group showed better isokinetic response compared to the ST group.
Conclusion
Combined treatment with viscosupplementation and strength training, and treatment with strength training only, presented better results in terms of isokinetic response and pain reduction than viscosupplementation alone. Level of evidence I; Therapeutic studies-Investigating the results of treatment.
Strength training; Viscosupplementation; Osteoarthritis, knee