Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease & the knee is the most common site for OA with the prevalence varying from 26% to 63% depending on age and gender. Knee OA is a multifactorial disorder resulting from several contributing factors including trauma, anatomical factors, biomechanical muscle imbalance, and occupational hazards.

                        Few studies have focused on the contribution of core stability to dynamic knee joint stability, mobility & function. The core of the body provides a foundation upon which the muscles of the lower extremities produce or resist force. The core is constructively a muscular box in which diaphragm is on the top, the pelvic floor and hip girdle musculature as the bottom, abdominals in the anterior, and the paraspinal and gluteal muscles behind. All the hip musculatures have their origins in pelvic and lumbar regions s o that the compromised core can be responsible for an unstable proximal base and quality muscle recruitments for stability as well as mobility.          

               There is always a vicious cycle related to weakness of core stabilizers/ spinal stabilizers and lower extremity muscles. Initially there would be weakness of lower limb muscles that overburdened core muscles due to length – tension relationship between them.Decreased core stability and muscular synergism of the trunk and hip stabilizers may affect performance in ADLs as well affect balance & mobility.

              The weakening of core muscles in knee OA patients also affects their primary and secondary respiratory muscles. Strong Abdominal muscle contraction is needed to increase intra-abdominal pressure, dis­charges the air to the outside of the diaphragm, and is necessary for bucking for airway clearance. Weak abdominals used to affect FEV1 & FVC value, thus affecting respiratory functions.

NEED OF THE STUDY

In spite of many researches done on proximal stability training i.e. core and hip strengthening

for prevention of lower extremity injuries and also studies done on deficits of neuromuscular control of the trunk to predict risks of knee injuries, there are no studies correlating the core and lower limb muscles strength, functional activity level as well as correlation between core strength and pulmonary functions influencing the most common musculoskeletal condition i.e. knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to find out Effects of lumbar core endurance training and stabilization exercises on pulmonary function, pain, dynamic balance and functional activities in patients with knee OA.

AIM & OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present work is to study the Effects of lumbar core endurance training and stabilization exercises on pulmonary function, pain, dynamic balance and functional activities in patients with knee OA.

OBJECTIVES

·         To study the additive effect of lumbar core endurance training and stabilization exercises on pulmonary function, pain, dynamic balance and functional activities in patients with knee OA.

·         To study the effect of conventional physiotherapy treatment on pulmonary function, pain, dynamic balance and functional activities in patients with knee OA.

·         To compare the effect of lumbar core endurance training and stabilization exercises and conventional physiotherapy on pulmonary function, pain, dynamic balance and functional activities in patients with knee OA.