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A dissertation presented in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2001. / Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that is localized to diarthodal joints and is characterized by degeneration of hyaline cartilage, with secondary changes in the peri-articular bone and soft tissue. OA is considered to be a sequale of traumatic and age respondent degenerative changes which result in loss of cartilage and impairment of function. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the relative efficacy of Action Potential Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and placebo in the treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee. This was a prospective, randomized clinical trial consisting of sixty patients who volunteered from the greater Durban area. The patients diagnosed as having Osteoarthritis of the knee, were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Group one and two consisted of twenty patients each and group three and four consisted often patients each, all between the age of 40 - 65 years old. Group one received Action Potential therapy (APT); group two received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS); group three received placebo APT and group four received placebo TENS. For statistical analysis parametric and non-parametric tests were used in all hypothesis Data capturing took place for all groups at the 1st, 2nd and 4th consultations. Subjective data was collected using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-l Ol ; McGill Pain Questionaire and Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Index (WOMAC). Objective data was gathered using the algometer and goniometer. / M

This dissertation is submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, 2003. / Knee joint pathologies, in general, are associated with a loss of knee-extensor muscle strength. This weakness has been attributed to arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). Manipulation of the sacroiliac (SI) has been shown to significantly reduce AMI and increase the strength in the quadriceps muscle group. Although both the knee and SI joints have been linked to AMI of the quadriceps muscle group, no studies have been conducted showing that manipulating the tibio-femoral (knee) joint has any effect on quadriceps muscle strength or AMI. The purpose of this study was therefore to verify whether manipulation of the knee (tibio-femoral) joint is as effective as SI joint manipulation in increasing quadriceps muscle strength in PFPS patients. This study also investigated the effect of combining manipulative therapy of the tibio-femoral and SI joints on quadriceps muscle strength in PFPS patients. / M