EFFECT OF ISOMETRIC EXERCISES ON KNEE JOINT FUNCTION IN PERSONS WITH HEMOPHILIA

DR. ANCY ISSAC; Dr. Jayasree M; Dr. V.K.Sreekala

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

EFFECT OF ISOMETRIC EXERCISES ON KNEE JOINT FUNCTION IN PERSONS WITH HEMOPHILIA

Dr. Ancy Issac, Dr. Jayasree M, Dr. V. K. Sreekala

Abstract :

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic hemophilic arthropathy is the most disabling and common complication in severe haemophilia which occurs due to recurrent hemarthroses.. The study designed to find the effect of isometric exercises on knee joint function in persons with hemophilia and to find the effect in reducing thefrequency of bleeds in knee joint. METHOD: This was a pre and post- experimental study (Longitudinal study) which was conducted over a period of one year among 35 hemophilia patients bet ween 5 – 20 years who attendedHemophilia clinic of the Dept of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Govt Medical College ,Tvm , with knee joint as the target joint, but not on regular exercise program. detailed history and clinical examination were performed using Gilbert score and patients were taught on isometric quadriceps exercise. Patients were reassessed on third, sixth and ninth month. Paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyse the data RESULTS: Among 35 patients, the mean joint score on the right side reduced from 2.94�1.97 to1.2�1.02 at nine month and on the left side, reduced from 3.54�2.02 to 1.74�1.36 at nine month with p value <0.001. The mean frequency of bleeds in three months of period was 4�1.9 at the initial visit, which has reduced to 2.5�1.5 at ninth month. Significant reduction in the number of vials of factor utilized by the subjects was observed. There was significant improvement in the range of motion of knee joint and circumferential thigh measures at the end of ninth month. CONCLUSION: Isometric quadriceps exercise is a simple and safe exercise therapy for hemophilic knee arthropathy. Regular exercise improves the knee joint function. It also helps to reduce the bleeding frequency in knee joint and thereby decreases the factor that is utilised by the patient for knee hemarthroses.