EFFECT OF KNEE JOINT TRACTION ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY IN PATIENT WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a prevalent condition causing chronic pain and functional limitations, often with suboptimal responses to conventional treatments. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of knee joint traction as an adjunct to standard physiotherapy in 30-40 patients aged 40-70 years with radiologically confirmed knee OA. Participants were allocated to either an experimental group receiving combined traction (continuous or intermittent) and conventional therapy or a control group receiving conventional therapy alone. Outcomes including pain (VAS), functional mobility (WOMAC), knee range of motion (goniometry), and psychological status (BDI) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results demonstrated that the traction group exhibited significantly greater improvements in pain reduction, functional capacity, and joint mobility compared to controls, with continuous traction proving particularly effective for alleviating stiffness and enhancing physical performance. Additionally, traction therapy yielded psychological benefits, including reduced depressive symptoms. The optimal therapeutic effect was observed at 60°- 90° of knee flexion. These findings suggest that knee joint traction represents a safe and clinically beneficial intervention for managing knee OA, though further large-scale research is warranted to establish standardized treatment protocols and confirm long-term efficacy. This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting mechanical traction as a valuable component in the multimodal management of knee osteoarthritis. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, knee joint traction, continuous traction, intermittent traction, pain management, functional mobility, range of motion, physiotherapy, WOMAC, VAS, depression, quality of life.