Myofascial release; a diagnostic tool for kneeabdomen and knee myofascial pain syndromes in knee osteoarthritic patients. An interventional based prevalence study

Abstract

Background. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is detected in all grades in imaging of asymptomatic individuals. Knee‑abdomen syndrome (KAS) and knee myofascial pain syndrome (KMPS) are newly identified syndromes of knee pain originating from myofascial induced stress upon knee’s capsule. Objective. To measure prevalence of KAS and KMPS among knee OA patients, and to explore concepts of the new syndromes. Methods. Intervention based prevalence study. Representative sample of 61 patients (pts) of knee OA underwent one session of Myofascial release (MFR). Pain was evaluated and averaged pre and immediately after MFR, during standing, active knee flexion and extension, and squat. Pain reduction of 50% is considered diagnostic for KMPS and KAS. Pain reduction maintained for one week is diagnostic for KAS. Results. KAS and KMPS are reconstructed as knee myofascial pain spectrum (KMPs). 13% of patients have KMPs and asymptomatic OA with 100% pain reduction after MFR. 20% of pts have symptomatic OA with no pain reduction. 67% have KMPs with more than 20% pain reduction. Conclusion. KMPs is identified in most knee OA patients. Asymptomatic knee OA is misdiagnosed as source of pain in one in every ten patients.