Comparing Graston Technique and Tissue Flossing for post-operative knee stiffness

Official Title: Comparison of Graston Technique With Tissue Flossing Technique in Patient With Post-Operative Knee Stiffness

This study tests whether Graston Technique or tissue flossing better reduces pain and improves knee range of motion and daily function in adults with post-operative knee stiffness after fracture surgery.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Riphah International University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Rawalpindi, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07204119 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi with 48 participants divided into three groups (Graston Technique, tissue flossing, and control). Participants were adults about six weeks after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of femur, tibia, or fibula shaft fractures who had reduced knee flexion/extension. Outcomes measured at baseline and after the intervention included goniometer-measured range of motion, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the WOMAC questionnaire for pain and function, and the study lasted six months. Recruitment used purposive sampling and group assignment was randomized by a lottery method with analysis performed in SPSS v23.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 20–40 who are about six weeks post-ORIF for a femur, tibia, or fibula shaft fracture and who have reduced knee flexion or extension are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with arthroplasty or recent ligament ruptures, active skin disease, venous thrombotic disease or varicose veins, uncontrolled cardiopulmonary illness or hypertension, latex allergy, or other excluded pathological conditions would likely be ineligible and not expected to benefit from these interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, one technique could offer a non-surgical way to reduce pain, increase knee range of motion, and improve daily function after fracture surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies and case reports of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and of tissue flossing have shown mixed but sometimes promising improvements in pain and range of motion, while high-quality randomized comparisons remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age group between 20 to 40 years.
2. Both male and female.
3. Patients with 6 weeks post-operative following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of femur, tibia, or fibula shaft fracture
4. Decreased in knee Flexion \& Extension (A minimum of 20° or above).

Exclusion criteria:

1. Those patients who have allergies to latex
2. Malignant or metabolic cause of knee fracture
3. Venous Thrombotic disease/ Varicose veins.
4. Cardiopulmonary illness and hypertension.
5. Skin diseases/ metabolic disorders.
6. Patient with arthroplasty and arthroscopy.
7. Patellar fracture/ ACL/ PCL/ MCL/ LCL rupture/ injuries.
8. Any pathological condition having effects on knees.

Where this trial is running

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province

• Banazir Bhutto Hospital, — Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Lal Gul Khan, MS — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: imran amjad, PhD

Conditions Post-operative Knee Stiffness; Post-operative knee stiffness; Graston Technique; Range of Motion; Tissue Flossing