Effect of Iliotibial Band Myofascial Release Combined with Valgus Correction Exercise on Pain, Range of Motion, Balance, and Quality of Life in Patients with Grade II Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The objective of this study was to find out the effect of the myofascial release technique combined with valgus correction exercise on the pain, range of motion, balance, and quality of life in participants with grade II knee osteoarthritis. Forty participants with grade II knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two treatment groups in the present clinical trial; group A was the myofascial release group, and group B was the myofascial release with valgus correction exercises group. Measurement included pain, balance, range of motion, and quality of life, as measured through the visual analog scale (VAS), Berg balance scale (BBS), goniometer, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), respectively. The data were collected at the baseline and 3rd and 6th weeks. The between-groups comparison at the end of the 6th week showed significant results in the iliotibial band myofascial release with the valgus correction exercise group ( < 0.001). The within-group difference showed improvement in both groups individually, with more significant values in group B. The current study showed that the myofascial release combined with valgus correction exercises can effectively improve the pain, range of motion, balance, and quality of life in participants with grade II knee osteoarthritis. Trial Registration: IRCT20230216057434N3.