Effectiveness of PNF Technique During Hydrotherapy for the Dysfunction of the Knee Joint after Musculoskeletal Surgery

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) technique during hydrotherapy for dysfunction of the knee joint after musculoskeletal surgery.Methods:Eighty patients with dysfunction of the knee joint after musculoskeletal surgery were divided randomly into experimental group(n=40) and control group(n=40).The patients in control group received routine rehabilitation treatments(muscle strengthening/ROM training/standing training/balance training/application of orthotic/EPT/Education),and those in experimental group received both routine rehabilitation treatments and PNF technique during hydrotherapy.The assessments were done before and 4 weeks after treatment by the proprioception of the knee joint,ROM,visual analog scale(VAS),manual muscle testing(MMT),activity of daily life(ADF).Result:There was a significant improvement both in experimental group and control group after 4-week treatment(P0.05,0.01).Conclusion:Application of PNF technique during hydrotherapy can effectively improve the dysfunction of the knee joint after musculoskeletal surgery.