| cal therapy is the safest, lowest risk and most cost | | | | the Annals of Internal Medicine that concluded |
| effective treatment for knee pain and arthritis. | | | | “a combination of manual physical therapy and |
| A recent study questions the efficacy of | | | | supervised exercise yields functional benefits for |
| arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. | | | | patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and may |
| This is encouraging to patients and they should seek | | | | delay or prevent the need for surgical |
| physical therapy for their condition, which is an | | | | intervention.” |
| effective non-surgical treatment choice for arthritis of | | | | A physical therapist will perform a thorough |
| the knee and knee pain. The study, titled “A | | | | examination, including hands-on assessment, and |
| Randomized Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for | | | | design an individualized plan of care that may include: |
| Osteoarthritis of the Knee” was published in | | | | • Passive soft tissue and joint mobilizations, |
| the September 11 issue of the New England Journal | | | | including myofascial release, to release restrictions |
| of Medicine (NEJM). | | | | that create an unbalanced postural alignment. |
| The study found that physical therapy, combined | | | | • Evaluation of the foot and ankle to determine |
| with comprehensive medical management, is just as | | | | if prescription orthotics to wear in your shoes |
| effective at relieving the pain and stiffness of | | | | • A series of exercises designed to help improve |
| moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee as | | | | motion and improve muscle strength. Including |
| surgery. | | | | walking, swimming, flexibility exercises and a |
| This study offers hope and encouragement to | | | | functional progression of activities to simulate normal |
| persons with osteoarthritis who would like to avoid | | | | stresses on the knee. |
| the pain and emotional toll of surgery. Many times the | | | | • Most importantly you should learn |
| first option presented is surgery when there are | | | | self-treatment techniques so you can extend the |
| other less invasive and more conservative options | | | | benefits of your sessions by taking care of the |
| available. Physical therapy can be equally effective | | | | whole body independently. Learning to reduce and |
| and should be the primary treatment option | | | | minimize symptoms at home is an important aspect |
| considered by not only patients, but also primary care | | | | of physical therapy. |
| and orthopedic physicians. | | | | A knee’s tolerance for stressful activities |
| Many times knee pain is associated with a movement | | | | often decreases with age and loss of conditioning. As |
| dysfunction at the hips or foot/ankle and these | | | | a result, stresses that would not have caused pain or |
| abnormal movement patterns can cause increased | | | | injury to the knee last year could today. A decrease |
| stress on the knee joint. Arthroscopic surgery does | | | | in levels of activity over a period of time may also |
| little to correct the dynamic factors that may be | | | | contribute to the vulnerability of knees. |
| contributing to knee pain and pathology. These | | | | There are steps one can take to help prevent injury |
| findings reinforce the need for a comprehensive, | | | | and continue to enjoy participating in sports and |
| whole body, treatment approach for such patients. | | | | exercise. Participating in a regular exercise program |
| This recent study in the NEJM adds to the growing | | | | designed by a physical therapist can be one of the |
| body of evidence supporting physical therapy for | | | | best ways to prevent injury. |
| treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, including: | | | | The first step in designing your exercise program is |
| • A report published in the January 2008 issue of | | | | an evaluation by your physical therapist. He or she |
| the journal Physical Therapy that reviewed research | | | | can identify your predisposing factors, those body |
| on osteoarthritis of the knee from 2000 to 2007 and | | | | traits that may make you more or less at risk to a |
| found “high-quality evidence that exercise and | | | | knee injury. Based on this evaluation, your physical |
| weight reduction reduce pain and improve physical | | | | therapist can create a customized routine that will |
| function.” | | | | help you reach your optimum levels of function, |
| • A study published in the Feb 1, 2000 issue of | | | | strength and conditioning. |