Discussion
tightness, reduced functional disability, knee osteoarthritis, pain
PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME, KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS, ADHESIONS
This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) technique and PNF stretching in improving hamstring flexibility, pain, and health status in knee osteoarthritis. In the present study within group analysis showed that participants in both groups had significant improvement in pain, hamstring flexibility, and health status throughout the treatment duration. Between group analysis showed that IASTM technique showed more significant improvement in hamstring flexibility, pain, and health status on WOMAC scores (pain, stiffness and physical functions) as compared to PNF stretching.A study comparing the effects of static stretching with PNF stretching in patients with knee osteoarthritis showed significant improvement in pain and hamstring flexibility in the PNF group (Within-group analysis showed that PNF stretching had significant results in reducing pain and improving health status. A study had similar results showing that PNF stretching significantly reduced pain intensity and improved functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis and chronic non-specific low back pain (An RCT showed that IASTM reduced pain and reduced functional disability in the patellofemoral pain syndrome (The present study showed that IASTM had significantly improved hamstring flexibility compared to PNF stretching. This difference could be attributed to IASTM’s ability to directly target specific areas of tightness or adhesions, stimulate fibroblastic activity, induce tissue reattachment, and lead to greater improvements in hamstring flexibility (The limitations of this study were that it was conducted in only one clinical setting. Another limitation that may affect the prognosis of the results, is the inclusion of both unilateral and bilateral knee osteoarthritis including different grades of knee osteoarthritis.