Exercise protocol improves physical function in patients with hip, knee OA

Implementation of an exercise protocol was linked with improved physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis, according to results presented here.

by Casey Tingle, Healio May 2, 2017

“It is possible to implement the evidence-based recommendation of exercise and education for patients with knee and hip [osteoarthritis] OA in clinical practice and it is feasible too,” Søren T. Skou PhD said in his presentation at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress.

In the Good Life with Osteoarthritis in Denmark initiative, Skou noted physical therapists underwent a 2-day course on how to apply exercise education according to guidelines and clinical practice. Physical therapists provided 8 weeks of education and supervised neuromuscular exercise to patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). At 3 months and 12 months, Skou and colleagues evaluated patients through patient reports, physical therapist reports, 30-second chair stand and 40-minute walk tests.

Results showed patients with hip OA and knee OA had improvements from baseline to 3 months and 12 months.

“Looking at the improvement in percent, [it] is between 23% and 27% at 3 months and 28% for both knees and hips at the 12-month follow-up,” Skou said.

He noted a risk reduction for painkillers following treatment of 19% for knee patients and of 30% for hip patients, as well as improvements in functional performance and level of physical activity.

“We asked patients at baseline whether or not they had been on sick leave due to their knee or hip within the last year, then we asked the same question at 12 months, and you can see that there seems to be a risk reduction in the number of patients being on sick leave due to their joint,” Skou said.

Source Healio

References

Good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:DTM): a nationwide implementation of clinical recommendations of education and supervised exercise in knee and hip osteoarthritis, ST Skou, EM Roos. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage April 2017 Volume 25, Supplement 1, Pages S389–S390. DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.669. Paper #73. Presented at Osteoarthritis Research Society International World Congress; April 27-30, 2017; Las Vegas NV. Full text

Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:DTM): evidence-based education and supervised neuromuscular exercise delivered by certified physiotherapists nationwide, Søren T. Skou and Ewa M. Roos. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2017) 18:72 DOI 10.1186/s12891-017-1439-y Full text

Physical Activity Minimum Threshold Predicting Improved Function in Adults With Lower-Extremity Symptoms, Dunlop DD, Song J, Lee J, Gilbert AL, Semanik PA, Ehrlich-Jones L, Pellegrini CA, Pinto D, Ainsworth B, Chang RW. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2017 Apr;69(4):475-483. doi: 10.1002/acr.23181. Epub 2017 Feb 28

Also see
GLA:D education and exercise program University of Calgary
GLA:D Canada Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic, University of Alberta
Older Adults with Arthritis Need Just 45 Minutes of Activity Per Week Northwestern University
Good Life with Osteoarthritis in Denmark Initiative glaid.dk