İlke Kara ÖZ, Nihal GELECEK, Gönül URALOĞLU
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences - 2026;10(1):79-88
Purpose: To determine and compare the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hamstring stretching exercises on hamstring flexibility, pain, functional status, and dynamic balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and Methods: A total of 36 symptomatic patients with KOA were randomly assigned to two groups as Static Hamstring Stretching (SHS; n=18) and PNF-Hamstring Stretching (PNF-HS; n=18) and exercises were applied in addition to a standard physiotherapy program consisting of Hot-pack, Ultrasound and TENS for 15 sessions, minimum 3 times a week. Evaluations were carried out at the beginning, at the end of the 4-week treatment period, and follow-up at week 12. Outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Active Knee Extension Test (AKET), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: Both stretching exercises statistically improved knee pain, AKET, and WOMAC scores (p<.05) except for the TUG test in the PNF-HS group. However, SHS exercise leads to decreased activity pain and improved WOMAC score (p<.05). Conclusion: Both SHS and PNF-HS exercises, in addition to a standard physiotherapy program, improved knee pain, hamstring flexibility, WOMAC score, and dynamic balance in patients with KOA. Moreover, SHS exercises were more efficacious for improving activity-related pain and WOMAC scores. No harm, unintended effects, or complications were observed in any of the type stretching exercises.
