Effectiveness of Core Strength Exercise in Patient with Primary Osteoarthritis of Knee

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative, progressive musculoskeletal condition that can affect joints, but it mainly affects the hips and knees, which are predominant weight-bearing joints. Osteoarthritis is associated with significant pain, and it limits mobility, basic daily activities, and quality of life. Core stability exercise activities will help maintain good posture in motion and be the basis for all movements of the arms and legs. The core controls trunk position and pelvis-related movement, optimizing the production, transfer, and control of force and motion to the distal segments of the kinetic chain. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to find out the effectiveness of core strength exercise in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODOLOGY: It is a quasi-experimental study consisting of 43 knee osteoarthritis patients. They are divided into an exercise group and a control group, in which each group comprises of group A 22 and group B 21patients. The Core muscle strengthening exercises and IFT were given to the experimental group, and knee strengthening exercises and IFT for the control group. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Numeric pain rating scale is used for pain, and the WOMAC questionnaire for quality of life. RESULTS: The pre and post mean values of group A for NPRS is 6.68 and 4.95, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Questionnaire is 57.04 and 46.09, The pre and post mean values of group B for NPRS were 6.95 and 2.85, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Questionnaire were 56.15 and 45.20. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that there is a statistical improvement in NPRS, and no statistical significance is noted in the WOMAC questionnaire.