Although we are not aware of evidence that physical therapists’ skills vary across the United States, our results may arguably be limited to physical therapists in Florida. Another main limitation is the method used to sample physical therapists. Whether the contact information available through the Florida Department of Health was current was unclear; if it was not, it may explain the extremely low response rate of 3%. FPTA physical therapists are, on average, aged 45 years, 36% are male, and 59% have more than 10 years of clinical practice (personal communication, FPTA, February 16, 2016). Physical therapists included in our survey were on average aged 44 years; 36% were male, and 66% had more than 10 years of clinical practice. Alternatively, it may be possible for patients or their spouses to administer simple manual therapy techniques to perpetuate the effects of clinical intervention.
The most frequently diagnosed type of arthritis is knee osteoarthritis (OA), its incidence continuously growing with increasing life expectancy and obesity. As certain studies revealed, ~10% of men and 13% of women aged 60 or more, have characteristic knee OA (1). Riding a stationary bike can also help maintain strength in the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups without putting pressure on your knee joints. You use these muscles, at the front and back of your thighs, when you stand up from a sitting position. For some people, arthritis damages one side of the knee more than the other side. Removing or adding a wedge of bone in your shinbone or thighbone can help straighten this bowing and shift your weight to the undamaged part of your knee joint.
Living with knee osteoarthritis can be challenging, but physical therapy can be a valuable tool in managing the symptoms and improving function. Whether you are experiencing mild discomfort or severe pain, a customized physical therapy program can help you regain mobility and reduce pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Normal articular cartilage structure sustains a balance between all components, the synthesis correcting any cartilage impairments. In OA, degradative enzymes also known as matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are upregulated, causing an imbalance that leads to proteoglycan and collagen loss. At the OA onset, chondrocytes tend to enhance proteoglycan synthesis to balance deterioration and produce tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). The imbalance leads to a reduced quantity of proteoglycans in spite of enhanced synthesis, higher water content, chaotic collagen structure as well as articular cartilage elasticity decline. These modifications determine cartilage fissure and cracking and eventually articular surface abrasion (3).
Although it is among the most common and studied diseases of the knee, OA does not have a defined pathophysiology or a single effective method of treating symptoms and related damage. An effective treatment for patients with knee OA, in the early stages of the disease, is exercise. Different non-surgical procedures have a fluctuating efficiency, the results being determined by numerous factors (equipment, provider, patient) and, based on the particular clinical situation, their use must be carefully selected. Biological fixation is an attractive option to increase the durability of TKA, particularly for young subjects, due to improvements in biotechnologies and biomaterials with increased osteo-conductive characteristics. Next, we discuss the limitations of current clinical treatments for OA, which mainly include pharmaceutical therapy and surgical therapy.
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. This can result in pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the affected knee. While there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
However, there are adverse reactions in the renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems that may question the use of NSAIDs in OA treatment. The literature recommends using paracetamol for level A OA, however in relieving pain NSAIDs are more efficient (24). In a total knee replacement, a surgeon removes the damaged tissue and bone and replaces the knee joint with an artificial joint. With the right help, you can exercise your sore joints and improve mobility. Physical therapists use the latest evidence to design treatment plans for each person’s needs, challenges, and goals to improve mobility, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from and prevent injury and chronic disease.
The articular cartilage in your knee eventually starts to flatten and stiffen like an old chair pad. Before looking at how to manage osteoarthritis in the knee, it’s a good idea to understand how that pain started in the first place with a little anatomy 101. Although research in OA has been documented for more than 100 years, there are still no successful therapies to stop or reduce the progression of joint degeneration. However, with technological advancements, new approaches and therapies are emerging to aid these patients. Depending on the outcome measures and objective of the study, researchers should pick the best model for their work.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
- Pain Relief: Physical therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation in the affected knee through targeted exercises and modalities.
- Improved Mobility: Physical therapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and balance, allowing you to move more freely and comfortably.
- Delay Surgery: In some cases, physical therapy may help delay or even avoid the need for surgery by strengthening the muscles around the knee and improving overall function.
Common Physical Therapy Interventions for Knee Osteoarthritis
- Therapeutic Exercises: Strengthening exercises, stretching, and low-impact activities can help improve muscle tone and joint stability.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques such as massage, manipulation, and mobilization can help improve joint mobility and reduce pain.
- Modalities: Heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation in the affected knee.
If you are struggling with knee osteoarthritis, consider consulting with a physical therapist to develop a personalized treatment plan. With the right combination of exercises, manual therapy, and modalities, you can improve your knee function and quality of life.
