Isometric quadriceps exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial comparing knee joint position flexion versus extension

Objective. To compare the effect of quadriceps isometric exercises performed in two different positions in addition to the combined physical therapy program on pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. A total of 30 patients with OA (age range 45 to 70 years) who were admitted to Istanbul Private Ekotom Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of performing the quadriceps isometric exercises as group 1 (performing in knee extension, n=14) and group 2 (performing in knee flexion, n=15). All patients also received a combined physical therapy program. Exercise protocols were applied six days a week for four weeks. The pain was evaluated using a 10 cm visual analog scale for pain (VAS) in rest and activity; pain, joint stiffness, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results. A significant difference was found in the VAS and WOMAC scores of both groups in group comparisons (p < 0.05). When the groups were compared in terms of change values, a significant difference was found in the WOMAC stiffness score in favor of group I (p < 0.05). Discussion. It is possible to obtain positive results with quadriceps isometric exercises to reduce pain and joint stiffness and increase physical function in patients with knee OA. However, exercises performed in knee extension were found to be more effective in reducing joint stiffness

The study of the relationship between factory workers' working posture and musculoskeletal disorders

Çalışmanın amacı fabrika çalışanlarında, çalışma postürü ile kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarının karşılaştırılmasıdır. Bu amaçla iki fabrikada çalışan, 18-60 yaş arası, 217 çalışan, araştırmaya dahil edildi. Çalışanlara demografik veriler için sosyo-demografik değerlendirme formu, ağrının görüldüğü yerin tespiti için Nordic Kas İskelet Sistemi Anketi (NKİSA) ve ağrının şiddetinin belirlenmesi için Görsel Ağrı Skalası (VAS) uygulandı. Çalışma postürünün analizi için Ovako Çalışma Duruşu Analiz Metotu (OWAS) uygulandı. İstatistiksel analiz Statiscal Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 versiyonu ile gerçekleştirildi. Verilerin normal dağılıma uygunluğunun tespiti için "Komolrow – Spinorow" testi kullanıldı. Kategorik (Dikotom) değişkenler,"ki-kare" testi ile karşılaştırıldı. Numeratik verilerin korelasyonu için "Spearman" ve kategorik veriler için "Pearson" korelasyon analizi testi uygulandı. Kötü çalışma postürü ile ağrının görüldüğü bölge sayısı ve ağrı şiddeti arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulundu (p<0,05). Çalışma yılı, ağırlık kaldırma, ağırlık kaldırma hizası, kaldırılan ağırlık ile rotasyon hareketi yapma, günlük çalışma süresi, beden kitle indeksi parametreleriyle ağrı arasında korelasyon bulundu (p<0,05). Fabrika çalışanlarında kötü çalışma postürü, kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarına neden olur. Kötü çalışma postürü vücutta olumsuz etkilenen bölge sayısını arttırır. Kas iskelet sistemi ağrılarının azaltılması ve iş gücü kaybının önüne geçilmesi için kötü çalışma postürlerinin düzeltilmesi gerekir.The purpose of the study is to compare working posture and musculoskeletal disorders in factory workers. For this purpose, 217 employees working in two factories, aged 18-60 years, were included in the survey. Employees were given a socio- demographic evaluation form for demographic data, a Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire (NKISA) to determine where the pain was seen, and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to determine the severity of the pain. Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) was applied for the analysis of working posture. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (Statiscal Package for Social Sciences) version 20.0. The "Komolrow-Spinorow" test was used to determine the normal distribution fitness of the data. Categorical (dichotomous) variables were compared with the "chi-square" test. "Spearman" for correlation of numerical data and "Pearson" correlation analysis test for categorical data were applied. Statistically significant relationship was found between the bad work posture and the severity of pain (p <0,05). There was a correlation between the study year, weight lifting, weight lifting angle, rotation exercise with lifting weight, daily working time, body mass index parameters and pain (p <0,05). Bad working posture in factory workers causes musculoskeletal system disorders. Bad work posture increases the number of affected areas in the body. Bad work postures need to be corrected to reduce musculoskeletal pain and to avoid labor loss