Effect of Graston technique on hamstring flexibility in knee osteoarthritis patients: A randomized controlled study

Purpose. To investigate the effect of Graston technique on hamstring flexibility in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods. Randomized controlled trial. Overall, 30 patients of both genders with age ranged from 38-50 years with moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren & Lawrence grade 3′ moderate’) were recruited randomly from the outpatient clinic of Kafr El-Sheikh General hospital and the outpatient clinic of Faculty of Physical Therapy in Kafr El-Sheikh University and divided into two equal groups; Group (A) (control group) (15 subjects), received conventional treatment of knee osteoarthritis (in form of stretching exercise for hamstring muscle and strengthening exercise for quadriceps muscle) for 4 weeks, Group (B) (experimental group) (15 subjects), received the same conventional treatment plus Graston technique for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment assessment using active knee extension test (AKET), sit and reach flexibility test (SRFT) and dynamic balance were done for all patients. Results. The comparison between both groups post-treatment revealed statistically significant improvement in AKET, as well as SRFT and dynamic balance (p < 0.05) in favor of experimental group (B). Conclusion. Graston technique have a significant effect on improving flexibility of hamstring muscle in patients with knee osteoarthritis.