Physiotherapy Interventions for Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease causing pain, stiffness and functional limitation, and physiotherapy is a recommended core treatment. This paper reports a prospective study evaluating the effect of a physiotherapy programme on pain and function in knee osteoarthritis. Eighty six patients with knee osteoarthritis of Kellgren-Lawrence grade II to III received a twelve-week physiotherapy programme comprising exercise and education and were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and a walking test at baseline, six and twelve weeks. Pain, function and stiffness improved significantly over the programme, and walking capacity increased progressively. The programme was safe and well tolerated. These findings indicate that physiotherapy comprising exercise and education is effective in reducing pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis, supporting its use as a core musculoskeletal physiotherapy intervention. The single-arm design indicates the need for controlled studies to confirm the specific contribution of the programme.

KEYWORDS: Knee Osteoarthritis, Physiotherapy, Exercise Therapy, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Pain, Function, WOMAC, Rehabilitation