Osteoarthritis – Belief Matters

Research out of the UK finds that 50% of people with severe, disabling knee pain do not seek a healthcare consultation.1 Why? Beliefs

Osteoarthritis of the knees and hips is common, and the prevalence increases with age. Therefore, it is also common for people to believe osteoarthritis is a natural consequence of aging and there is nothing that can be done about it. It’s our job to correct that popular misconception. The misconception that osteoarthritis is a natural consequence of aging has been connected with fear of self-injury, reduced physical activity, self-restrictions on healthy lifestyle, reduced spontaneity, and even feelings of loss and isolation.² This is why guidelines instruct healthcare providers to teach patients about how osteoarthritis is preventable and manageable.^3-9

Physiotherapy quickly reduces pain and improves function with effects comparable to surgery. Physiotherapy also slows the progression of osteoarthritis.^10-12 What works is exercise therapy, weight loss, and patient education.² The combination of physiotherapy and exercise physiology at Advanced Physiotherapy gives our patients access to training in orthopaedic rehabilitation and weight loss. Call (02) 4954 5330 now, or contact us.

References

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Dantas LO, de Fátima Salvini T, McAlindon TE. Knee osteoarthritis: key treatments and implications for physical therapy. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2021 Mar 1;25(2):135-46.
Chae KJ, Choi MJ, Kim KY, Ajayi FF, Chang IS, Kim IS. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Osteoarthritis: Care and Management. Natl Clin Guidel Cent (UK). 2014 Dec.
Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, Arden NK, Bennell K, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Kraus VB, Lohmander LS, Abbott JH, Bhandari M, Blanco FJ. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2019 Nov 1;27(11):1578-89.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, Oatis C, Guyatt G, Block J, Callahan L, Copenhaver C, Dodge C, Felson D, Gellar K. American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020; 72 (2): 220–33.
Fernandes L, Hagen KB, Bijlsma JW, Andreassen O, Christensen P, Conaghan PG, Doherty M, Geenen R, Hammond A, Kjeken I, Lohmander LS. EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2013 Jul 1;72(7):1125-35.
Brosseau L, Taki J, Desjardins B, Thevenot O, Fransen M, Wells GA, Mizusaki Imoto A, Toupin-April K, Westby M, Alvarez Gallardo IC, Gifford W. The Ottawa panel clinical practice guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Part two: strengthening exercise programs. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2017 May;31(5):596-611.
Brosseau L, Taki J, Desjardins B, Thevenot O, Fransen M, Wells GA, Imoto AM, Toupin-April K, Westby M, Gallardo IC, Gifford W. The Ottawa panel clinical practice guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Part one: introduction, and mind-body exercise programs. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2017 May;31(5):582-95.
Brosseau L, Taki J, Desjardins B, Thevenot O, Fransen M, Wells GA, Mizusaki Imoto A, Toupin-April K, Westby M, Alvarez Gallardo IC, Gifford W. The Ottawa panel clinical practice guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Part three: aerobic exercise programs. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2017 May;31(5):612-24.
Katz J, Brophy R, Chaisson C, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. NEJM. Mar 19 2013; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1301408.
Pinto D, Robertson M, Abbott J, et al. Manual therapy, exercise therapy, or both, in addition to usual care, for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. 2: economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2013; joca.2013.06.014.

Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer A, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Br J Sports Med. 2015; 49 (24): 1554-1557.