Relationship Between Strength of Hip Abductors, Pain Intensity, Duration of Symptoms, and Tightness of Iliotibial (IT) Band in Participants with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objective: Osteoarthritis of knee is very common rheumatological problem with prevalence of 22% to 39% in India. Lower limb strengthening exercises are an important component of the treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Evidence suggests that, strengthening the hip abductor muscles may influence joint loading and/or OA-related symptoms as well as the length of IT band but no study has actually investigated the relationship of the strength of hip abductor muscles with pain, duration of symptoms and the length of Iliotibial (IT) band and the relationship of the length of IT band with pain and duration of symptoms in participants with OA knee; hence, the study aims to see the relationship between these variables. Methods: Total 18 participants with primary unilateral Osteoarthritis were taken and they were divided into two groups according to side of knee OA; affected and unaffected side. The strength of hip abductor muscles was measured by using hand held dynamometer and the length of IT band was measured by using Ober’s test and pain intensity was measured by using NPRS. Result: Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in isometric strength of hip abductors was seen on affected side in subjects with OA knee. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in length of IT band in subjects with OA knee. A linear relationship was also seen between pain and strength of hip abductors; duration of symptoms and strength of hip abductors; and length of IT band and strength of hip abductors. Conclusion: Strength of hip abductors is affected by presence of iliotibial band tightness. Key words: Isometric hip abductor strength, Pain, Length of IT band, OA knee