Strengthening Exercises Versus Proprioception and Balance Exercises in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

Damage or loss of mechanoreceptors in osteoarthritis patients affects balance and proprioception. There are studies showing that proprioceptive deficit is associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis leading to pain and disability. Because the proprioception provides a sense of power generation and allows the power output to be better regulated. When the literature is examined, studies investigating the effects of proprioception and balance exercises on muscle strength, function and pain are limited. In our study patients will be randomly divided into two groups: Group I (Proprioception and Balance) and Group II (muscle strengthening exercises). While Group I will be applied Proprioception and Balance training exercises, Group II will be applied closed and open kinetic strengthening exercises. Two group will perform exercise 3 times a week during 8 weeks.