Integration of Muscle Energy Techniques in the Rehabilitation of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Report

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disorder that predominantly affects weightbearing joints such as the hip and knee, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion (ROM), muscle weakness, and functional disability. With the increasing aging population, OA poses a major public health challenge and significantly compromises quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy interventions emphasize pain reduction, joint mobility, muscle strengthening, and functional re-education. Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), a form of manual therapy utilizing voluntary muscle contractions against controlled resistance, have demonstrated effectiveness in managing musculoskeletal dysfunctions, particularly lumbopelvic disorders. However, evidence supporting their role within a comprehensive rehabilitation framework for hip and knee OA remains limited. Objective: To describe the clinical application of Muscle Energy Techniques as part of a multimodal physiotherapy rehabilitation program for a patient with combined hip and knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its effects on pain, joint ROM, muscle strength, and functional performance. Case Description: A 62-year-old female diagnosed with right hip and left knee osteoarthritis presented with chronic pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and occupational tasks. Intervention: The patient underwent a structured physiotherapy program incorporating MET, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education, joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, and functional training over 10 supervised sessions. Results: Post-intervention outcomes demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements. Pain intensity reduced from 8/10 to 3/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Hip flexion improved from 105° to 115°, hip extension from 2° to 8°, and knee flexion from 108° to 115°. Muscle strength improved to near-normal levels, and functional outcomes, assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), showed significant gains. Conclusion: This case highlights that integrating MET within a comprehensive physiotherapy program may enhance pain relief, joint mobility, and functional outcomes in individuals with hip and knee OA. MET appears to be a valuable adjunct rather than a standalone intervention, supporting its clinical utility in OA rehabilitation.