. 2014 Jun;26(6):817-20.

doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.817. Epub 2014 Jun 30.

Comparative study of hamstring and quadriceps strengthening treatments in the management of knee osteoarthritis

Ahmed H Al-Johani 1, Shaji John Kachanathu 2, Ashraf Ramadan Hafez 3, Abdulaziz Al-Ahaideb 4, Abdulrahman D Algarni 4, Abdulmohesn Meshari Alroumi 1, Aqeel M Alanezi 5
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Abstract

[Purpose] Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common form of joint disease. It is one of the major causes of impaired function that reduces quality of life (QOL) worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare exercise treatments for hamstring and quadriceps strength in the management of knee osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Forty patients with OA knee, aged 50-65 years were divided into 2 groups. The first group (57.65±4.78 years) received hot packs and performed strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hamstring, and stretching exercises for the hamstring. The second group (58.15±5.11 years) received hot packs and performed strengthening exercises for only the quadriceps, and stretching exercise for the hamstring. Outcome measures were the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA index questionnaire), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessment of pain, the Fifty-Foot Walk Test (FWS), and Handheld dynamometry. [Results] There was a significant difference between the groups. The first group showed a more significant result than the second group. [Conclusion] Strengthening of the hamstrings in addition to strengthening of the quadriceps was shown to be beneficial for improving subjective knee pain, range of motion and decreasing the limitation of functional performance of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Pain; Strengthening; Stretching.

 

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Interestingly in the above article, the hamstrings strengthening group with OA improved significantly with comparison to the quad only strengthening group. This would suggest the hamstring plays a significant role in knee pain and stability with patients with arthritis.

Why is this important? Overall, it shows that the benefit of the hamstrings in stability work is more than we previously expected to see. In sport rehab, the hams is very important for recovery of the ACL patient. It would suffice to say it would apply to all or most knee conditions as the patient populations are all different. Often knee pain is attributed to the knee, quad, and knee cap relationship. This hip is also a big portion of the difference as well, as we know hip strengthening is a huge component to the stability of the knee in closed chain kinematic systems.

Thankfully, at CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha, we are very well versed in research, and rely heavily on hamstring and hip dominant rehab for the knee. We have performed and operated this way for many years with great success. COME see the CORE difference in Omaha.

 

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