Osteoarthritis (OA), commonly known as wear and tear arthritis, is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the joint cartilage, bone, synovial membrane and joint capsule. The most common joint involved is the knee joint followed by hip and ankle. It has a multi-factorial etiology and affects around 60% of individuals aged over 50 years. OA affects 9% of men and 18% of women over 65 years of age and is responsible for high levels of non-attendance and early retirement due to disability. The etiology of knee OA is related to repetitive mechanical loads on weight bearing joints and advancing age. Risk factors for knee OA are overweight and repetitive injury. Repetitive use, such as in jobs requiring heavy labor and knee bending, probably increases the risk of OA of knee joint. The clinical manifestations of the disease are joint pain, stiffness, decreased range of joint movement, muscle weakness of the quadriceps and tightness of hamstring muscle. Decreased strength in the muscle groups involving the joints is significant because it causes progressive loss of function. These symptoms significantly restrict the individual's ability to get up from a chair, walk, or climb stairs. Walking with a limp, poor alignment of the limb, and instabilities can also be observed.
Physiotherapy has existed as a form of treatment for dysfunctions and disabilities for centuries. It is considered as a key treatment in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from debilitating conditions as a result of accidents or diseases. It includes life style modification particularly-exercises and weight reduction is a core management of osteoarthritis. An obese patient should be advised to reduce weight and minimize compressive forces on the affected joint by teaching proper body mechanics and the use of ambulatory aids. The objective of physiotherapy is to provide pain free and functionally acceptable joint. To controlpain suitable electrotherapeutic modalities are preferably be used like TENS, IFT, US, LASER etc. Exercise programme includes ROM exercises, strengthening exercises, joint mobilization, stretches, functional training, aerobic exercises etc. All these exercises or techniques help the muscle and joints work to their potential, helping to repair damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and stiffness at knee joint. Hence its importance cannot be denied. The present paper deals with the role of physiotherapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, Physiotherapy, Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer
