ObjectiveTo observe the application effect of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) in the rehabilitation therapy of patients with post-traumatic knee stiffness (PTKS). MethodsA total of 76 patients with PTKS were randomly divided into control group or observation group, with 38 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, based on which the observation group received the combined therapy of IASTM. The pre- and post-treatment Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for knee joint pain, range of motion for knee joint (the maximum flexion range of motion ［ROM-F］, maximum extension range of motion ［ROM-E］, and total range of motion ［ROM-T］), and the Lysholm score for knee joint were compared between patients of the two groups. ResultsBefore treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the VAS score for knee joint pain, ROM-F, ROM-E, ROM-T, and Lysholm score for knee joint between the two groups (P＞0.05). After treatment, the VAS score for knee joint pain, ROM-F, ROM-E, ROM-T, and Lysholm score for knee joint of patients in both groups were ameliorated as compared with before treatment, and the VAS score for knee joint pain, ROM-F, ROM-T, and Lysholm score for knee joint in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P＜0.05). ConclusionCombing with IASTM therapy based on conventional rehabilitation therapy can relieve knee joint pain of PTKS patients, ameliorate the range of motion and function of patients′ knee joint, and its effect is superior to conventional rehabilitation therapy alone, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion

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