Case study of continuous knee joint traction treatment on the pain and quality of life of patients with degenerative gonarthritis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of continuous knee joint traction treatment on the pain and quality of life of patients with degenerative gonarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Continuous knee joint traction treatment was administered to 59 year-old man and 62 year-old woman diagnosed with degenerative gonarthritis for 20 minutes, once a day, five times a week for 4 weeks. Pain and quality of life were measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short form 36-item health survey (SF-36), respectively. [Results] The VAS score of the male patient before treatment was 8 points but it decreased to 1 point after treatment, and SF-36 score increased from 81 points before treatment to 93 points after treatment. In addition, the VAS score of the 62 year-old female patient was 7 points before treatment but it decreased to 2 points after treatment, and SF-36 score increased from 78 points before treatment to 96 points after treatment. [Conclusion] The purpose of the study was to report 2 cases of patients with degenerative gonarthritis of the knee who received continuous knee joint traction.