Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case study was to report the effects of the MyoKinesthetic (MYK) system on pain, functional ability, and psychosocial well-being of a 20-year-old female collegiate softball athlete diagnosed with chronic bilateral knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient presented with bilateral chronic knee pain lasting more than 2 years. A clinical examination and radiographic imaging revealed chondromalacia and the beginning stages of osteoarthritis of the knee. No other comorbidities were noted. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient received 4 treatments with the MYK system over 2 weeks. Treatments 1 through 3 were directed at the S1 nerve root; the fourth treatment was directed at the L4 nerve root. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Scale, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, and the Disability in the Physically Active Scale. Pain, function, and quality of life were measured collectively using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The patient experienced clinical improvements (minimal clinical important differences, minimal detectable changes) for all outcome measures, with the exception of the quality-of-life subscale within the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. CONCLUSIONS: The patient in this case study reported a decrease in pain and an increase in function during the course of 4 treatments, which were administered over 14 days and in accordance to the MYK guidelines. Traditional treatment guidelines typically recommend 8 weeks for positive effects to manifest. Manual therapy techniques, such the MYK system, may be a viable treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.