Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative musculoskeletal disorders and a major cause of pain, joint stiffness, reduced mobility, muscle weakness, and functional disability among middle-aged and older adults. Progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and associated changes in subchondral bone and surrounding soft tissues lead to impaired movement and decreased quality of life. Conservative physiotherapy remains the cornerstone of management, with manual therapy techniques playing an important role in restoring joint mechanics and reducing symptoms. Kaltenborn mobilisation, based on the principles of sustained joint traction and gliding, is widely used to restore accessory joint motion, reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance functional performance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of Kaltenborn mobilisation on pain, muscle strength, and knee joint range of motion in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives:

1. To determine the effect of Kaltenborn mobilisation on pain intensity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.


2. To evaluate changes in knee joint range of motion following Kaltenborn mobilisation.


3. To assess improvements in quadriceps muscle strength after the intervention.

Methodology: A single-group experimental pre-test and post-test study design was employed. Twenty participants diagnosed with Grade I–III knee osteoarthritis completed the study. Baseline assessment included pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), muscle strength using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and knee joint range of motion using a universal goniometer. Participants underwent Kaltenborn mobilisation of the tibiofemoral joint, including Grade I and Grade II mobilisation for pain relief and Grade III mobilisation for improving joint mobility. Each mobilisation was sustained for 30–60 seconds and repeated 3–5 times per session. Conventional physiotherapy, including hot pack application, quadriceps strengthening exercises, and joint protection education, was provided concurrently. Treatment sessions were conducted three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using the paired t-test, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The intervention resulted in statistically highly significant improvements in all measured outcomes. Muscle strength improved from 2.50 ± 0.51 to 4.75 ± 0.44 (t = 14.047, p < 0.0001). Pain intensity decreased significantly from 7.90 ± 1.12 to 1.90 ± 1.55 (t = 13.597, p < 0.0001), indicating a mean reduction of 6.00 points on the VAS. Knee flexion range of motion improved from 20.25 ± 7.20° to 111.60 ± 38.96° (t = 10.501, p < 0.0001), while knee extension improved from 19.10 ± 8.73° to 84.55 ± 24.82° (t = 11.546, p < 0.0001). These findings demonstrate substantial improvements in pain relief, muscle strength, and joint mobility following the six-week intervention.

Conclusion: Kaltenborn mobilisation, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, is an effective conservative intervention for individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The treatment significantly reduced pain, improved quadriceps muscle strength, and increased knee joint range of motion, thereby contributing to enhanced functional recovery and improved quality of life. The findings support the incorporation of Kaltenborn mobilisation into routine physiotherapy rehabilitation programs for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are recommended to confirm these findings and strengthen the evidence base.

Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Kaltenborn Mobilisation, Manual Therapy, Joint Mobilisation, Physiotherapy, Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, Visual Analogue Scale, Manual Muscle Testing, Rehabilitation.