The Effect of Osteopathic Manual Therapy on the Vascular Supply to the Lower Extremity, Function and Symptoms of Subjects With Knee Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of osteopathic manual therapy can influence the vascular supply to the knee, knee range of motion, balance and knee pain, in a group of subjects with knee osteoarthritis. It is also the objective of this study to determine if there is a difference between the osteopathic evaluation and the combination of an osteopathic evaluation and treatment.

• Other: Osteopathic evaluation
  evaluation of movement and tissue mobility
• Other: Osteopathic evaluation with treatment
  osteopathic evaluation followed by osteopathic manual therapy release of tissues identified as tight or restricted

• Sham Comparator: Osteopathic evaluation
  Intervention: Other: Osteopathic evaluation
• Experimental: Osteopathic evaluation with treatment
  osteopathic evaluation of motion and tissue mobility followed by osteopathic manual therapy release of the tight or restricted tissues
  Intervention: Other: Osteopathic evaluation with treatment

Inclusion Criteria:

• Radiographic-confirmed knee osteoarthritis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who are unable to ambulate independently (without an aid) and safely the distance of a city block
• Subjects who have an uncontrolled medical condition (e.g. heart (angina) or respiratory condition (asthma))
• Subjects who have a neurological condition (e.g. Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis)
• Subjects who have both knees affected by osteoarthritis and have had previous surgery to both knees
• Subjects who have knee OA in only one knee and that knee has had previous knee surgery
• Subjects who have previous vascular surgery to either leg