Intelligent knee physical therapy approach with monitoring of gains in strength and mobility of the muscles

Abstract

Knee is one of the most important joints of the lower limb and it can be affected by various medical conditions with impact on its function. Intelligent system-based exercise therapy is a modern method of regaining knee function, but no previous studies have explored its potential benefits in knee rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-and long-term effects of the exercises with intelligent systems on knee function in patients with osteoarthritis, patellofemoral syndrome and knee instability. A total of 60 patients suffering from one of these conditions (32 with osteoarthritis, 21 with knee instability, 7 with patellofemoral syndrome) were treated with two intelligent systems for 2 weeks. Two parameters, namely knee mobility and isometric muscle strength, were measured at the beginning of therapy, immediately after therapy, after 6 months and after 12 months. All measured parameters showed improvement at the end of the exercise therapy. Knee mobility in both extension and flexion decreased slightly at 6 months (-2.73°±1.043° and 0.09°±0.005°, respectively) but increased again at 12 months (3.05°±1.105° and 2.61°±1.321°, respectively). Muscle strength for extension and flexion was improved after therapy but decreased progressively in time. In conclusion, intelligent systems-based exercise therapy produced improvement of the knee function in all patients, but muscle strength decreased in time, suggesting the need for repeating the therapy or for a better adherence of the patients to a program of exercises for maintaining the gain.