Management of knee osteoarthritis

Moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee is effectively treated by knee replacement surgery. However, such surgery is associated with a higher rate of serious adverse events than exercise-therapy alone.

Osteoarthritis is often regarded as a disease of the elderly but its prevalence in younger individuals is increasing. A history of knee injury, especially an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, is one of the most important risk factors for the early-onset of knee osteoarthritis in young adults.

Physiotherapist are ideally placed to provide advice on achieving a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy body weight and regular physical activity and deliver osteoarthritis prevention strategies following joint injury. Such prevention strategies are aimed at optimising muscle function (neuromuscular control and strength) particularly of the quadriceps muscle.