Effectiveness of Quadriceps Strengthening Exercise in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease and a major cause of pain and disability, particularly in older adults, with the knee being the most frequently affected joint. Quadriceps weakness is a key contributor to pain, instability, and functional limitation in knee OA, making quadriceps strengthening an essential part of its conservative management. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of quadriceps strengthening exercise in improving pain, physical function, knee range of motion, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to December 2025 among 70 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Pain, functional status, knee range of motion, and quadriceps muscle strength were assessed before and after a quadriceps strengthening exercise program. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 70 patients with knee osteoarthritis (mean age 57.4 ± 8.7 years), most were female (62.9%) and had Kellgren-Lawrence grade II disease (51.4%). Following quadriceps strengthening exercise, significant improvements were observed in pain, WOMAC scores, knee range of motion, and quadriceps muscle strength (all p < 0.001). Overall, 57.1% of patients showed moderate improvement, 28.6% marked improvement, and 14.3% mild improvement, with no patient showing no improvement. Conclusion: Quadriceps strengthening exercise significantly improved pain, physical function, knee range of motion, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis, supporting its role as an effective non-pharmacological treatment modality.