Myofascial release; a diagnostic tool for knee-abdomen and knee myofascial pain syndromes in knee osteoarthritic patients. An interventional based prevalence study

Background. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is detected in all grades in imaging of asymptomatic individuals. Knee-abdomen syndrome (KAS) and knee myofascial pain syndrome (KMPS) are newly identified syndromes of knee pain originating from myofascial induced stress upon the knee’s capsule. Objective. To measure the prevalence of KAS and KMPS among knee OA patients and explore the concepts of the new syndromes. Methods. An intervention-based prevalence study was conducted with a representative sample of 61 knee OA patients who underwent one session of Myofascial release (MFR). Pain was evaluated and averaged pre- and post-MFR during standing, active knee flexion, extension, and squats. A pain reduction of 50% is considered diagnostic for KMPS and KAS. Pain reduction maintained for one week indicates KAS. Results. KAS and KMPS were reconstructed as part of the knee myofascial pain spectrum (KMPs). 13% of patients had KMPs with asymptomatic OA and 100% pain reduction post-MFR. 20% had symptomatic OA with no pain reduction. 67% of patients had KMPs with more than 20% pain reduction. Conclusion. KMPs was identified in the majority of knee OA patients. Asymptomatic OA was misdiagnosed as the source of pain in 13% of patients.