Investigation of the Effectiveness of Myofascial Release Techniques Applied to the Popliteus Muscle in Individuals With Knee Pain.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of popliteus muscle-targeted myofascial release techniques (MFR) when added to conventional physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) and exercise protocols in patients with knee pain. Sixty patients presenting with knee pain were assessed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 45 eligible participants were enrolled. Participants were allocated into two groups: the popliteus group (23) and the control group (22). Assessments were performed before treatment and after treatment. Both groups received a standard PTR program consisting of heat therapy (20 min), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (20 min), therapeutic ultrasound (US) (4 min), and exercises, administered 5 days per week for a total of 10 sessions. In addition, popliteus muscle-targeted MFR techniques were applied to the popliteus group. Outcome measures included pain (visual analog scale, VAS), functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, WOMAC), quality of life (Short Form-12 Health Survey, SF-12), range of motion (ROM), limb circumference measurement, and balance tests (single-leg stance test, SLST).

Inclusion criteria

• Being between 18-70 years of age
• Being able to communicate in Turkish
• Being literate
• Having a diagnosis of non-specific knee pain, Patellafemoral pain syndrome, or Knee Osteoarthritis
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Having undergone surgery on the knee joint
• Having a diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatism
• Having a significant clinical infection
• Having a fracture in the bones forming the knee joint
• Having received cortisol treatment within the last 6 months
• Having a disease that prevents the patient from lying prone
• Having a history of deep vein thrombosis
• Having severe varicose vein disease
• Being an active cancer patient