Effectiveness of Joint Distraction Versus Passive End Range Overpressure in Osteoarthritis:

The joint distraction is the manual approach in knee osteoarthritis. This is very efficient in managing pain, to increase range of motion and reduce stiffness of joint due to osteoarthritis. A specialized greave would be created to distract the knee joint.

Using a platform beneath the lower leg to create counterpressure, the knee would be put in flexion while sustained traction will be performed for 20 minutes while the patient would be in a supine posture. In each session, the traction would be adjusted to the patients' perceived threshold. The least amount of work that caused patients to get distracted would be employed as a diversion

Primary Outcome Measure Pain Tool Used: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the patient's pain level. Participants were asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10.

0 = No pain 1-3 = Mild pain 4-6 = Moderate pain 7-10 = Severe pain This scale was used to categorize the intensity of pain experienced by patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Quality of Life / Broader Function Tool Used: KOOS Questionnaire (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale.

The KOOS questionnaire was used to assess:

Pain Symptoms Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Sport and Recreation Function Knee-related Quality of Life

It contains 42 items divided into five sections:

Pain = 9 items Symptoms = 7 items Activities of Daily Living = 17 items Sport and Recreation Function = 5 items Quality of Life = 4 items

Each item is scored from 0 to 4.

Maximum score:

42 items × 4 = 168

Interpretation (Percentage Based):

< 40% = Extreme disability 40-59% = Severe problems 60-79% = Moderate problems 80-99% = Mild disability This questionnaire evaluates the overall impact of knee osteoarthritis on function and quality of life.4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

1) Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Functions Tool Used: WOMAC Questionnaire (Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index)

The WOMAC questionnaire was used to assess:

Pain Stiffness Physical function

It contains 24 items divided into three sections:

Pain = 5 items Stiffness = 2 items Physical Function = 17 items Each question has 5 response options ranging from None to Extreme.

Scoring:

Each item = 0-4 points Pain section total = 20 Stiffness section total = 8 Physical function section total = 68 Total WOMAC score = 96

Interpretation:

0-30 = Mild 31-60 = Moderate 61-96 = Severe The higher the score, the greater the symptoms and functional limitations.

Passive Range of Motion Tool Used: Goniometer

A goniometer was used to assess joint range of motion.

The instrument consists of three parts:

Moving Arm - aligned with the body segment that moves. Stationary Arm - aligned with the body segment that remains stationary. Fulcrum - positioned over the joint being assessed.

The goniometer was used to measure the knee joint's range of motion before and after treatment.