Knee osteoarthritis: key treatments and implications for physical therapy

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive disease that imparts a substantial socioeconomic burden to society and healthcare systems. The prevalence of knee OA has dramatically risen in recent decades due to consistent increases in life expectancy and obesity worldwide. Patient education, physical exercise, and weight loss (for overweight or obese individuals) constitute the first-line knee OA treatment approach. However, less than 40% of patients with knee OA receive this kind of intervention. There is an unmet need for healthcare professionals treating individuals with knee OA to understand the current recommended treatment strategies to provide effective rehabilitation. Objective: To guide physical therapists in their clinical decision making by summarizing the safest and most efficacious treatment options currently available, and by delineating the most traditional outcome measures used in clinical research for knee OA. Conclusion: There is a need for healthcare providers to abandon low-quality and ineffective treatments and educate themselves and their patients about the current best evidence-based practices for knee OA. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. on behalf of Associacao Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pos-Graduacao em Fisioterapia.

Automated summary

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic progressive disease that poses a significant burden on society and healthcare systems. Recommended treatment strategies include patient education, physical exercise, and weight loss, yet less than 40% of patients receive this intervention. Healthcare providers need to understand the safest and most effective treatment options and outcome measures used in clinical research.