Safety and efficacy of a self‐induced myofascial release protocol using a foam roller in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy

• Published in: Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 326 - 333
• Main Authors: Pérez‐Llanes, Raúl, Donoso‐Úbeda, Elena, Meroño‐Gallut, Javier, Ucero‐Lozano, Roberto, Cuesta‐Barriuso, Rubén
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Chronic pain; Flexibility; haemophilic knee arthropathy; Hemarthrosis; Hemophilia; Hemophilia A - complications; Humans; joint pain; Knee; Knee Joint; Motion detection; Myofascial Release Therapy; Original; Pain; Pressure; Range of motion; Range of Motion, Articular; Safety; self‐induced myofascial release; Structure-function relationships; Treatment Outcome; Visual thresholds; joint pain; haemophilic knee arthropathy; self-induced myofascial release; range of motion
• ISSN: 1351-8216; 1365-2516; 1365-2516
• DOI: 10.1111/hae.14498

Background Haemophilic knee arthropathy presents functional and structural alterations and chronic pain. Self‐induced myofascial release aims to treat fascial restrictions and improve functionality. Aim This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of a self‐induced myofascial release protocol in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy. Methods Twenty‐five patients with bilateral haemophilic knee arthropathy were recruited (n = 50 knees). The patients followed an intervention protocol, with daily exercises for 8 weeks. The dependent variables were: safety of the technique (periodic telephone monitoring), joint state (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pain intensity (visual analogue scale), pressure pain threshold (pressure dynamometer), range of motion (universal goniometer) and hamstring flexibility (Fingertip‐To‐Floor test). The resulting values were measured at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (T1). Paired t‐test compared the means between the assessments. Effect size was obtained using Cohen's d mean difference formula. The minimum detectable change of each variable was calculated. Results There were no cases of joint bleeding either during or after the procedure. The results showed improvements after the experimental period in joint state (Mean difference [MD]: 1.38; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: .94;1.81), pain intensity (MD: 1.19; 95%CI: .70;1.67), pressure pain threshold (MD: ‐23.25; 95%CI: ‐26.25;‐19.84), flexion (MD: ‐4.36; 95%CI: ‐5.70;‐3.01), loss of extension (MD: 4.10; 95%CI: 3.01;5.18) and hamstring flexibility (MD: 3.54; 95%CI: 2.61;4.46). Conclusions Myofascial self‐release using a foam roller is safe in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy. A myofascial self‐release protocol can improve perceived pain, range of motion and knee joint status, as well as hamstring flexibility in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy.